Before the 2026 offseason, a contract extension for Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua seemed inevitable. The team reportedly prioritized getting a deal done, and then Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba reset the market with his $168.6 million deal.
That urgency might be waning after Nacua’s recent off-field allegations and subsequent decision to check himself into rehab.
The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue reported on Monday that she doesn’t think an early extension is a guarantee anymore, and that the Rams could even wait and use the franchise tag on Nacua next offseason before his rookie contract expires.
The Rams did not seem to have many long-term concerns about Nacua’s behavior immediately after the in-season incidents (Nacua was neither suspended nor punished by the team, and McVay, in fact, praised his on-field production in the first game after the livestream, although he added he hoped Nacua would learn from his mistakes).
But it’s my understanding that their concerns significantly increased — especially about Nacua’s well-being — as the offseason continued. While Nacua checked into the facility of his own volition, a source with knowledge of his decision said, the team is certainly glad he did.
… I don’t believe that an early extension is now a guarantee, even if the Rams have been clear they’d like Nacua to be with them for the long term. But the organization has a natural cushion during which to monitor Nacua, as they don’t typically do early extensions until training camp. If they still aren’t totally sure or need more time, they could even use the franchise tag on Nacua next spring — a move they’ve typically avoided.
As Rodrigue said, the Rams have typically waited until training camp to get deals done. While Alaric Jackson signed his deal in February of last year, the team waited until August to sign Kyren Williams.
That timeline, in theory, gives Nacua more time to get in a better headspace and the Rams more time to evaluate if they’re ready to commit to Nacua long-term, even after head coach Sean McVay’s endorsement.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: NFL insider says Rams could delay Puka Nacua extension
Reporting by Oliver G., Rams Wire / Rams Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
