Rams' Puka Nacua Expresses Shocking Early Retirement Plans

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Mar 24, 2025 3:20 PM ET

The Los Angeles Rams are turning the primary pass-catching duties of the offense over to Puka Nacua after escorting Cooper Kupp out of town this month.

Nacua broke out in his rookie season in 2023, posting 1,486 yards and six touchdown grabs. He took a step back in production last season due to missing six games to injury, but his potential to become a perennial target-eater has been proven.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old stated that he wants out of professional football by the time he reaches 30. He prefers to go out healthy and on top of his game before regression could occur.

“I know I want to retire at the age of 30,” Nacua said on Monday. “I'm 23 right now, I'm going into Year 3 – it wouldn’t even be 10 years. It’d be maybe seven or eight. I think of Aaron Donald, to go out at the top, I think it would be super cool. But also, I want to have a big family. I want to have at least a starting five. I came from a big family so I need five boys, for sure. But also, like, I want to be able to be a part of their lives and be as active as I can with them.

"The injuries are something you can’t control (as) part of the game, so you never know. Hopefully, the rest of the career can go healthy, but you have shoulder surgery, you have knee surgery, you have ankle. By the time my kids could be 18, I could be barely walking if you play the game and sustain all the injuries and stuff like that, but I want to retire early.”

Nacua plays physically when he's carrying the football, lowering his shoulder into defenders and laying himself out to make plays.

It's of course possible to remain fruitful in the NFL after eclipsing 30 as Nacua's new teammate Davante Adams, 31, just logged 1,063 yards in 14 games and Mike Evans, 31, has recorded 11 straight 1,000-yard campaigns.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: