Puka Nacua didn’t just have a breakout year-he had the kind of season that forces front offices to rework their spreadsheets and rethink their timelines. The Rams may have come up short in the NFC Championship Game against a tough Seahawks squad, but Nacua’s performance throughout the year-and especially in the postseason-left no doubt: he’s not just a rising star, he’s already one of the NFL’s elite wide receivers.
Now, the conversation in Los Angeles is shifting from what could’ve been to what comes next. And at the center of it all is Nacua’s contract situation. After a monster 2025 campaign, the 24-year-old wideout is in line for a major payday, and it sounds like the Rams are ready to make that happen sooner rather than later.
According to league sources, the Rams are expected to offer Nacua a four-year extension that could make him one of the highest-paid receivers in the league. We’re talking about a deal reportedly worth $156 million, with a staggering $90 million guaranteed at signing.
That would set a new benchmark for guaranteed money at the position, edging out Justin Jefferson’s $88.7 million deal with the Vikings. While Ja’Marr Chase still holds the edge in total contract value at $161 million, Nacua’s proposed guarantee would be the highest ever for a wide receiver.
And based on the numbers he just put up, it’s hard to argue he doesn’t deserve it.
Across 16 regular season games, Nacua racked up 129 receptions, 1,715 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Those aren’t just good stats-they’re franchise cornerstone numbers.
He was the engine of the Rams’ offense all year long, consistently producing in high-leverage moments and proving to be a nightmare for opposing secondaries. Whether it was working the short game, stretching the field, or making contested catches in traffic, Nacua showed the full package.
Then came the postseason, where he kept his foot on the gas. In three playoff games, he added 24 catches for 332 yards and two more touchdowns. He was instrumental in pushing the Rams deep into January, helping them stay in the hunt for a Super Bowl berth until the final whistle of the NFC title game.
All of that production came while Nacua was still on his rookie deal-a four-year, $4 million contract signed after the Rams selected him in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s right: fifth round. Less than three years later, he’s a two-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro, and arguably the most valuable asset on the Rams’ roster not named Matthew Stafford.
And even Stafford’s contract, at $84 million, doesn’t come close to the kind of money Nacua is now poised to command.
The Rams are in a good spot financially. They don’t have any $100 million deals on the books, which gives them flexibility to lock in their top talent.
And make no mistake-Nacua is now the top priority. With one year left on his rookie deal and free agency looming after the 2026 season, Los Angeles knows it can’t afford to let a player of his caliber test the open market.
Teams simply don’t let wideouts like this walk.
Nacua’s age, production, and trajectory make him a rare commodity in today’s NFL. He’s not just a playmaker; he’s a foundational piece. The Rams know it, the league knows it, and judging by the numbers being floated, Nacua’s about to be paid like it.