Puka Nacua Fined $25K After Officiating Criticism, Despite Career Day in Rams' OT Loss
Puka Nacua has been a breakout star in 2025, but this week, it wasn’t just his on-field performance making headlines - it was his words after a crushing overtime loss that cost him.
The Rams wide receiver has been fined $25,000 by the NFL for public comments criticizing officiating, following Thursday night’s wild 38-37 defeat to the Seattle Seahawks. The league handed down the punishment Friday after Nacua’s remarks - both on a livestream and on social media - took direct aim at NFL referees.
During a recent appearance on a stream with N3on and Adin Ross, Nacua didn’t hold back, accusing officials of making poor calls just to get TV time. And after the Rams’ heartbreaking loss, he doubled down with a now-deleted post on X (formerly Twitter), where he once again vented frustration about the officiating crew.
The NFL, unsurprisingly, responded swiftly. According to reports, Nacua’s comments - including a comparison of referees to lawyers and the claim that they “make calls to be on TV” - crossed a line the league doesn't tolerate.
Career Performance Overshadowed by Controversy
The fine comes on the heels of what was arguably the best game of Nacua’s young career. He torched the Seahawks’ secondary for 12 receptions, 225 yards, and two touchdowns - a performance that had fans and analysts buzzing, even in a losing effort.
With that outing, Nacua continues to rewrite expectations for a second-year receiver. He’s already hit career highs across the board: 114 catches, 1,592 yards, and eight touchdowns - and there are still games left to play.
But the sting of Thursday night’s collapse is hard to ignore. The Rams held a 30-14 lead in the fourth quarter, only to watch it vanish as Seattle rattled off 16 unanswered points to send the game into overtime.
The turning point? A jaw-dropping two-point conversion that will be replayed for years - a play that swung momentum completely in the Seahawks’ favor.
Playoff Implications Loom Large
The loss didn’t just hurt in the moment - it had major implications in the NFC playoff race. The Rams, now 11-4, slipped out of first place in the conference, ceding ground to Seattle. With just a few weeks left in the regular season, Los Angeles is suddenly staring at the very real possibility of starting the postseason on the road.
To reclaim the NFC’s top seed, the Rams will need to win out - and hope both the Seahawks and 49ers stumble down the stretch. That’s a tall order, but not impossible.
Their next test? A Monday Night Football showdown in Atlanta on Dec.
- It’s a must-win, not just for seeding, but to regain momentum after a game that slipped through their fingers.
Final Thoughts
Puka Nacua’s frustration is understandable - the Rams let a big one get away, and emotions were running high. But in today’s NFL, public shots at the officiating crew come with a price. For Nacua, that price is $25,000.
Still, if there’s a silver lining, it’s this: The Rams have a star in Nacua, and he’s showing up when it matters most. If they can clean up the late-game execution - and keep the focus between the lines - this team still has the tools to make a deep postseason run.