Off-Field Issues Delaying Puka Nacua Extension

The 25-year-old was accused in March of making antisemitic statements to a woman before biting her on the shoulder. Also that month, he checked into a luxury rehab center to focus on “personal growth.” Those issues put contract talks – a priority for Los Angeles entering the offseason – on the back burner, even after Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s deal with the Seahawks reset the market and effectively set Nacua’s asking price. Now, it appears he will have to wait until next offseason.

The Rams have had internal discussions about extensions for a number of their 2023 draftees, including Nacua, but he is not expected to receive a new deal before the 2026 season begins, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Instead, the former fifth-round pick is poised to play out the final year of his rookie contract and commence negotiations with the team before he becomes a free agent in 2027.

Nacua addressed his off-field issues at training camp on Wednesday, explaining his commitment to therapy and making changes in his personal life.

“There have been some things that obviously happened this offseason that haven’t been the truest reflection of who I believe I am or how my mother raised me,” Nacua said (via Vincent Bonsignore of the California Post). “I’m trying to take accountability for the things I know I can change and continue to grow from. I want to become the best version of myself on and off the football field.”

Nacua is already starting to show some of the growth the Rams are looking for. Head coach Sean McVay praised his young wideout’s accountability and desire to learn from his actions.

“He’s motivated because his heart is in the right place,” McVay said. “The contract side of things will take care of itself because he’s an incredible player.”

It remains possible that Nacua demonstrates enough personal growth during the season for the Rams to restart negotiations sooner rather than later. After all, initial concerns popped up in December, when he live-streamed in the locker room following a game. He was later fined $25k for criticizing officials on another livestream, which also featured what appeared to be an antisemitic gesture, though Nacua claimed ignorance of the gesture’s meaning. Keeping his head down and his nose clean over the next few months could bring Los Angeles to the negotiating table, especially if a hot start to the season is poised to raise his price tag even further.

Nacua, who trails only Ja’Marr Chase in receiving yards over the last three years, should eclipse Smith-Njigba’s $42.15MM AAV on his extension. Waiting until next offseason – when another salary cap increase will kick in – could give him a chance to go even higher. Chase received $40.25MM in 2025. Smith-Njigba beat that by $1.9MM this year; a commensurate increase in 2027 would come in around $44MM. That is before considering the potential for new deals for Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb, who could seek raises next offseason after seeing at least three receivers pass them since signing. (That number could even grow to five if Zay Flowers, George Pickens, and/or another receiver sign top-of-the-market deals in the interim.)

So while Nacua lost out on a sizable payday this offseason, he should still be in line for record-breaking money within the next year – provided he can stay out of trouble.