Rams WR Puka Nacua Changes Agents

Nacua has changed agents. ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes the fourth-year Rams wideout is now represented by the Win Sports Group. Players making a switch in terms of agencies is not rare, of course, but it is particularly notable when those in line for an extension take this route.

With respect to production, Nacua has an easy case to receive a monster second contract. In the event he agrees to a news Rams accord at some point, the All-Pro can be expected to challenge or even surpass the $42.15MM in average annual value Jaxon Smith-Njigba secured this spring. Factors other than Nacua’s age and talent are being weighed by Los Angeles, though.

A report from last week indicated no Rams extension is likely to be worked out prior to Week 1 in this case. Off-field concerns represent the reason for caution on the team’s part. Nacua spent time at a rehab center in March, with the focus being on “personal growth.” Sean McVay and others with the Rams have expressed support for the 25-year-old, but hesitancy with respect to a lucrative commitment makes sense given the risk of Nacua running into further off-field issues.

Los Angeles has Davante Adams in the fold for one more season, and expectations will remain high in his case after a success debut campaign with the Rams. 2023 draftees other than Nacua are understandably seen as extension priorities, though. Defensive tackle Kobie Turner, pass rusher Byron Young and left guard Steve Avila are all logical candidates for a long-term deal. The Rams have conducted internal discussions about extensions in those cases, and it will be interesting to see if any agreements are reached in time for Week 1.

Considerable future cap space will be needed to retain as many members of the ’23 draft class as possible. Los Angeles also has a core led by 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford and offseason additions like Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to maintain over at least the short term. Nacua nevertheless figures to be a central part of the Rams’ financial planning provided things go according to plan this season. In that case, a new agency would be tasked with negotiating an extension.