Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua is expected to get a big contract extension this offseason. However, he is not predicted to top Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase in the receiver market.
The Los Angeles Rams were the most dominant offensive force in the 2025 NFL Season, leading the league with 268.1 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns in the regular season.
While a good amount of the credit goes to potential MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receiver Puka Nacua is also deserves plenty of praise.
Nacua led the NFL with 129 receptions, 80 first downs, and 107.2 receiving yards per game. Additionally, he recorded 1,715 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns, and 1,820 yards from scrimmage.
It's no wonder Nacua was named to the Pro Bowl, first-team All-Pro, and is a finalist for NFP Offensive Player of the Year.
Nacua was selected by the Rams with the 177th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Because he was drafted so late, Los Angeles doesn't have a fifth year option for his contract.
It's because of this that Dan Graziano of ESPN says Nacua is due for a massive contract extension this offseason. However, he doesn't think Nacua will get the same amount of money as Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase.
Graziano believes Nacua and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba are going to get paid after incredible seasons, but there are two directions negotiations can go: one or both of their contracts exceeds Chase, causing "the wide receiver market just keeps spiraling upward," or they settle below Chase "and the wide receiver market starts to correct itself a little bit."
"Nacua and Smith-Njigba are both wonderful, difference-making players," Graziano explained. "But there are so many impactful wide receivers coming out in the draft every year now that, at some point, more teams are going to say it's not worth paying top-15 QB money for a WR."
Graziano also pointed out that Nacua wasn't the only player on the Rams in this predicament. Outside linebacker Byron Young is another Pro Bowl-level talent that was selected later in the 2023 NFL Draft. He is also due an extension and a big pay check.
Additionally, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and guard Steve Avila are eligible for extensions this offseason, and outside linebacker Jared Verse and defensive end Braden Fiske are eligible for extensions next offseason. And that's without mentioning if the Rams want to try and keep Stafford after his contract ends in 2026.
Needless to say, the Rams have a lot to consider when it comes to giving extensions and keeping a team that will get them to the Super Bowl next year.