The Los Angeles Rams are in the middle of a very strong 2025 season. Matthew Stafford is playing at an MVP-caliber level, and the defense is showing up week in and week out.
But one of the most important players on the team has been Puka Nacua. He’s been remarkable, and the third-year wide receiver is continuing to show his first two seasons weren’t a fluke.
After 2025, he’ll be eligible for an extension, and the Rams should jump at the chance to extend him. ESPN’s Dan Graziano highlighted the one reason why the Rams need to be aggressive with Nacua’s extension.
“He is wrapping up his third season and is extension-eligible next spring.” Graziano writes. “Nacua was not a first-round pick, so there’s no fifth-year option on his contract, and the Rams likely won’t want him to go into next year as a pending 2027 free agent.”
With the Rams’ wide receiver set to have his extension window open in the offseason, before his last year on his rookie deal, the Rams need to strongly consider extending him as soon as possible.
Nacua has been outstanding for the Rams across the last three seasons, and ranking among the NFL’s elite, there’s zero reason to let Nacua walk as a free agent.
A contract for a top-flight wide receiver can get expensive, as Ja’Marr Chase signed for $40.25 million per year, while Justin Jefferson signed for $35 million per year.
What Nacua gets in talks with the Rams will be interesting, as Los Angeles could sign the 24-year-old for a longer deal at a smaller AAV.
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The Pro Bowl receiver is having another strong year, with 66 receptions, 775 yards, and four touchdowns through eight games this season. He also has 55 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown on four attempts.
In his rookie season in 2023, Nacua had 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns on 160 targets. In 2024, he had 79 receptions for 990 yards and three touchdowns in an injury-shortened season.
While the Rams extending Nacua is a priority, if there is one reason why Nacua won’t match Chase’s $40 million-plus contract, it’s his injury history. Nacua missed time in each of the last two seasons, and there could be long-term concerns for the Rams.
But when he’s on the field, he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL. Letting him walk as a free agent would be a disaster, and entering the 2026 season without an extension would also not be ideal.
The upcoming offseason is the Rams’ first chance to extend Nacua, and it should be a priority for Los Angeles, as his 2026 season is the last the Rams have him signed on for.
