Puka Nacua Contract Reportedly a Priority for Rams, Can WR Break Ja'Marr Chase Record?

Signing wide receiver Puka Nacua to a long-term extension is a "big-time priority" for the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport reported Sunday there's a chance the 2023 Pro Bowler could surpass the Cincinnati Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase as the highest-paid wideout in the NFL:

Chase's $40.3 million average salary puts him comfortably ahead of the next pass-catcher. Justin Jefferson gets $35 million annually from his extension with the Minnesota Vikings.

Somebody at the position will overtake Chase sooner or later, and Nacua could plausibly earn that distinction if he and his agent drive a hard bargain.

The 24-year-old is leading the NFL in receptions (93) and trails only the Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba in yards per game (98.8). He's fresh off a 45-17 blowout of the Arizona Cardinals in which he had seven grabs for 167 yards and two touchdowns.

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Beyond his performance in 2025, Nacua has been a consistent producer from the moment he arrived in the NFL. He had 1,486 receiving yards as a rookie and would've eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark again in 2024 were it not for a sprained PCL that forced him to go on injured reserve.

Nacua is tied with Jefferson for the highest career per-game average in receiving yards with 91.6, so he's setting a potentially historic pace.

The eventual succession from Matthew Stafford at quarterback will be part of the Rams' calculations as well when negotiating a new contract with Nacua. Especially if they're planning on drafting Stafford's replacement, having a proven No. 1 receiver in his prime makes the transition easier to execute.

Nacua is signed through 2026, so general manager Les Snead can slow-play this if he wants. Waiting until the 2027 offseason could, however, mean a contract is even more expensive than it will be next spring.