The longstanding rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams shows no signs of easing. These NFC West opponents face off twice yearly, and Seattle recently ended Los Angeles’ season with a 31-27 triumph in the NFC Championship Game. Amid this heated competition, Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua took a jab at Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold through a tweet during Super Bowl LX, signaling lingering tension between the players.
Despite Darnold’s mixed performance against the New England Patriots in the championship game, he managed to guide Seattle to its second Super Bowl victory. Nacua’s tweet simply read, “😂 Sam Darnold,” as the game concluded, underscoring his critical stance.
Sam Darnold’s Journey and Super Bowl Achievement
Sam Darnold, who secured his first Super Bowl ring in the initial year of a lucrative $100.5 million contract, completed 19 out of 38 passes for 202 yards, a touchdown, and avoided interceptions in the championship. His season statistics show a total of 4,048 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions with a 99.1 passer rating, marking a notable career resurgence with his second Pro Bowl selection in 2025.
The USC product also became the first quarterback from his alma mater to win a Super Bowl and set the NFL record for playing with five different teams before achieving this milestone. Nonetheless, debates persist regarding whether Darnold ranks among the league’s elite quarterbacks.
Puka Nacua’s Controversies Beyond the Field
While Nacua has established himself as one of the NFL’s promising young talents, his off-field actions have frequently attracted attention. Recently, he made headlines for his playful social media interactions with actress Sydney Sweeney. After Sweeney described the type of partner she desired—someone adventurous and family-oriented—Nacua responded, “Love skydiving.”
Although many found the exchange lighthearted, Nacua faced criticism when he exaggerated the connection by suggesting he had a date arranged with Sweeney, which was untrue.
Previous Incidents Involving Nacua and Social Media Figures
In mid-December, Nacua’s association with controversial streamers Adin Ross and N3on led to further scrutiny. During a gym session, these personalities urged Nacua into making a gesture that was later identified as antisemitic. Following public backlash, Nacua apologized, acknowledging he was unaware that the gesture
“was antisemitic in nature and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against Jewish people.”
Additionally, in that same live broadcast, Nacua criticized NFL referees, claiming their calls were biased and suggesting officials acted like “lawyers” seeking attention. His remarks resulted in a $25,000 fine for publicly disparaging officials. He stated, “The refs are the worst,” and included a claim about referees texting friends during games, highlighting his frustration with the league’s officiating standards.
Impact of Puka Nacua’s Behavior on NFL and Rivalry Dynamics
Puka Nacua’s outspoken nature continues to stir both his fan base and critics, adding tension to the rivalry between the Rams and Seahawks. His public criticisms and controversial moments draw attention not only to himself but also to broader issues like sportsmanship and the role of social media in professional sports. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold’s steady, if debated, performance anchors the Seahawks as they capitalize on their recent Super Bowl success.
As the NFC West rivalry progresses into the next season, observers will watch closely how Nacua’s actions and competitive remarks influence team dynamics and offseason narratives. Whether this shade-throwing will escalate or subside remains to be seen, but the rivalry’s intensity remains a defining element of both players’ careers.
😂 sam darnold
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) February 9, 2026
