Los Angeles Rams superstar wide receiver Puka Nacua could find himself on the trade block if he stays in trouble.
Earlier this week, TMZ reported that Nacua was facing a civil lawsuit incident where he allegedly bit a woman and used antisemetic remarks. Nacua vehemently denies the allegations, vowing to countersue the woman.
However, a new video has been released of Nacua passed out sleeping while the accuser dances near him in a sprinter van.
In the midst of this latest controversy, the price for the Rams to extend Nacua went up this week.
The Seattle Seahawks handed Jaxon Smith-Njigba a four-year deal worth over $168 million. As one of the best receivers in the NFL, Nacua will be looking for a similar pay day from Los Angeles. Nacua was a fifth-round draft pick, meaning that he only signed a four-year deal upon being selected by the Rams in 2023. The upcoming 2026 campaign is Nacua’s final deal under contract.
The Rams are expected to take their time with his contract extension.
In his first three seasons in the NFL, Nacua is averaging 95 receiving yards per game. He’s turned into a fan favorite and a fantasy football player’s dream, already scoring 19 career touchdowns.
By osmosis, Nacua has emerged as one of the most important players on the Rams. FanDuel Sportsbook currently has Los Angeles as the betting favorite to win Super Bowl LXI. Of course, Nacua’s strong relationship with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is a big reason for the favorable +700 odds.
But at some point, enough could be enough for Rams general manager Les Snead, who has gained the reputation of one of the best drafters in the NFL. If Los Angeles is fed up with Nacua’s off the field antics, the Rams could decide to dump one of the best receivers in the NFL for more draft capital.
The options for the Rams are to extend Nacua or trade him. There’s no way that a player as talented as the 24-year-old superstar will hit free agency.
Would the Rams want an extra first-round draft pick? Or would they rather give a player with a few off the field infractions a four-year mega deal worth just under $200 million?
While the Rams will hope to get the most out of Nacua in 2026, they also have Davante Adams, who scored 14 touchdowns in 14 games during his first season in Los Angeles.
At some point, the Rams need to prepare for life after Stafford retires. They currently have the No. 13 overall selection in the NFL Draft after trading No. 29 overall to the Kansas City Chiefs for Trent McDuffie, who is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.
There’s no debate that the Rams would be able to get more than a first-round draft pick for Nacua if they listened to offers before the NFL Draft in April. With multiple first-round picks, the Rams would be able to draft his replacement in a loaded class headlined by Ohio State’s Carnell Tate, Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon.
