Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay had high praise for star wide receiver Puka Nacua amid his rehab process.
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is standing firmly behind star wide receiver Puka Nacua as he navigates off-the-field challenges.
In an exclusive interview with USA Today on Tuesday, McVay voiced his confidence in Nacua, expressing belief that the star receiver will get through the situation and turn things around as he deals with an ongoing lawsuit.
“Most importantly, you want to be there. You want to help him continue to grow. Certainly, nobody's perfect. I know I wasn't," McVay said in an exclusive interview. "I had a lot of people that put their arm around me and help guide me along the way, and kind of like what I've consistently said, I love this kid's heart.
“I trust the feeling that I have in the relationship we've developed over the last handful years, and I truly believe the best is yet to come for him.”
Nacua is currently facing a civil lawsuit alleging assault, battery, and antisemitic remarks. A woman by the name of Madison Atiabi filed a lawsuit alleging that on New Year's Eve 2025. It wasn't reported to the public until March 2026.
The lawsuit also alleges that Nacua also but a friend's thumb during the same incident.
The 24-year-old Nacua’s attorney, Levi McCathern, stated that Nacua denies the allegations "in the strongest possible terms" and characterized them as a "blatant lie" and an attempt at extortion.
Even before the news broke on the lawsuit, it was reported that Nacua was working on himself. Earlier this month, news had come out that the former BYU Cougar was in a rehabilitation/holistic care facility.
McVay said that Nacua has completed his rehab.
The former fifth-round pick has been a revelation for the Rams. Since entering the league in 2023, Nacua has been a standout for Los Angeles and has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the league.
From the jump, Nacua showed that he belongs, setting an NFL record for most receptions (105) and receiving yards (1,486) by a rookie in a single season. In his third season in the league in 2025, Nacua became the fastest player to reach 300 receptions (43 games) and earned first-team All-Pro honors.
In 16 games in 2025, the Rams' star receiver tallied a career-high 129 receptions for 1,715 yards, 10 touchdowns, averaged 13.3 yards per reception, 107.2 yards per game and a catch percentage of 77.7 percent.
Nacua may be dealing with off the field issue; still, he is in line to become the highest-paid wide receiver in league history. He is extension eligible, and there is a good chance the Rams will provide him with the money he has rightfully earned due to his dominance on the football field.