The Los Angeles Rams are currently weighing the possibility of extending wide receiver Puka Nacua’s contract during the offseason, balancing his impressive on-field production with concerns about his durability. As Nacua approaches a potential franchise-record deal, the team must decide how to manage both his talent and his history of injuries to secure their offensive future.
Recognized as a leading playmaker since entering the NFL, Nacua’s status as a top target for the Rams makes the extension question critical. However, staying healthy remains a challenge that could impact the franchise’s commitment to him moving forward.
Puka Nacua Reunites with Cooper Kupp Highlighting Offseason Workouts
As Nacua heads into his fourth NFL season, he has remained prominent in league conversations after finishing last regular season as the leader in receptions despite missing one game. His recent offseason workouts have drawn attention, largely because of his partnership with former Rams star Cooper Kupp.
Kupp was a key wideout for Los Angeles from 2017 to 2024 before being released in 2025 when no trade partner emerged. The former teammates shared a training session, with Kupp posting a video captioned “back to work,” sparking speculation about Kupp’s potential return to play in 2026 after winning the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks this past season.
Mutual Respect Evident Between Nacua and Kupp
The friendship between Nacua and Kupp remains strong despite their recent team changes. On the podcast Real Ones: The League, Nacua extended his support to Kupp ahead of the latter’s second Super Bowl appearance.
I hope you have the opportunity to hoist that trophy up,
Nacua said on the podcast on February 6.
You have about a couple days to have that parade, the ceremony, and I’ll see you back in LA, and we’re getting right back to it. So, hurry up.
Before the Super Bowl, Kupp also expressed admiration for Nacua when comparing him to another wide receiver, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, on February 3.
They’re such good football players in their own right. I came alongside them to be an open book. If there’s an idea they had or something they wanted to ask me, I want to be right there alongside of them. But more than anything else, I want to be a good teammate,
Kupp told reporters.
It’s been really fun. I’ve learned a lot from those guys as well.
Challenges Surrounding Nacua’s Contract Extension
Despite his outstanding performance since entering the league in 2023, Nacua faces concerns due to a tendency toward aggressive play that increases his injury risk. These factors weigh heavily on the Rams as they consider offering him a new contract this offseason.
His reckless style of play will make him an annual risk for injury – but it’s also a major reason why he’s largely considered one of the best WRs in all of football across the past 3 seasons,
wrote Michael Ginnitti of Spotrac on February 24.
The 5th-rounder is now on an expiring contract in LA, holding a $38.5M valuation in our system, but a 4 year, $164M extension certainly seems plausible here.
If agreed upon, this extension would set a new franchise record for a Rams wide receiver, surpassing Matthew Stafford’s four-year, $160 million contract signed in 2022.
Weighing the Stakes: The Rams’ Commitment to Nacua’s Future
The Rams have shown loyalty to Nacua throughout various off-field difficulties, recognizing his elite productivity when available. The main challenge ahead lies in how the team can mitigate injury risks and manage his contract size without compromising their roster’s balance. This decision will likely define the Rams’ offensive strategy and salary cap situation for years to come.
Ultimately, the choice around Puka Nacua’s extension will have significant implications on the Rams’ ability to maintain a competitive edge while protecting a key asset in their receiving corps.
Puka back in the lab with Coop 😭 pic.twitter.com/eH0ua2WkRC
— RamsNation (@LARamsey46) February 27, 2026
I love this! Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp working out together in the offseason. pic.twitter.com/dRbvus9zYY
— Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) February 27, 2026
#Seahawks Cooper Kupp is back in the lab with #Rams Puka Nacua. I don't think Kupp is retiring anytime soon:
[🎥: Ryan Sorensen/IG Story] pic.twitter.com/MIy4GseVYV
— HawkMania (@hawkmania4) February 27, 2026
