Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua gets honest about the possibility of playing without a contract extension in 2026.
Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua is not a fan of the possibility of playing without a contract extension this upcoming season.
During the Rams OTAs, the 25-year-old was honest when asked about whether he’d be comfortable playing in 2026 without an extension.
"I'm not too sure," Nacua said.
"I know that my job is to come up here and to be with the guys and go out there and compete every single day," Nacua continued. "That's been kind of my mindset. If I can continue to improve as a person, I know that the coaches and the people around me are helping me improve as a football player. So those are the things that I can control and then hopefully allow those other things to handle themselves."
The All-Pro wide receiver is eligible for a contract extension this summer. Nacua completed his first three seasons with the Rams and is set to enter the final year of his rookie contract, and is seeking a new deal.
Nacua has been a standout since he entered the league, taking the NFL by storm with his stellar play. He has put himself in a great position for a historic payday and has the chance to potentially become the highest-paid wide receiver ever.
His projected new deal could land him in the range of $150 million to $170 million over four years. Nacua has certainly earned that money and then some, as he is outperforming his current rookie deal.
One could argue that no one has had a better three-year stretch at the wide receiver position than Nacua. In his first three seasons, he has collected 313 receptions for 4,191 yards, 19 touchdowns, averages 13.4 yards per reception, 95.3 yards per game and a catch percentage of 72.5.
As things stand, Seattle Seahawks superstar wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the highest-paid wide receiver. He and the Seahawks agreed to a massive four-year, $168.6 million contract in late March. The deal keeps him with the Seahawks through the 2031 season.
Nacua has set himself in a great position to surpass Smith-Njigba in that department, but his new potential deal may hinge on his off-the field issues. The former BYU Cougar is currently facing a civil lawsuit filed by a woman alleging assault, battery and gender violence.
It’s too early to tell how it will all play out for Nacua; however, if things get resolved and are on his side, he could be looking at an enormous payday.
