Puka Nacua Talks Potential Contract Holdout amid Latest Rumors on Rams Extension

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is entering a contract year, told reporters from the team's training camp at Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday that he has not given any thought to holding out in hopes of an extension, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop.

"No, not really," Nacua said when asked if he gave it consideration, per Barshop.

"I think the game of football is a safe place for me. and I enjoy that. There have been things outside of my control that I think have impacted the way I've been able to kind of focus and enjoy this game of football. But coming out here and seeing that jersey No. 12 hung up in my locker is something that I don't take for granted.

"And being around this group of guys, I think of all the guys that have reached out in this offseason to be there by my side. And then when we're here in the meeting room, just the level of connection that I feel like I have with all the guys out there, it never crossed my mind that I don't want to be out here with these guys."

Nacua, a fifth-round pick out of BYU in 2023, has been a superstar over his three NFL seasons and one of the league's biggest draft steals in recent memory. Last season, Nacua caught 129 passes for 1,715 yards and 10 touchdowns. He led the league in catches and yards per game en route to All-Pro First Team honors.

Thanks in part to his efforts, the Rams went 12-5, finished first in the NFL in scoring and took the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to the limit before falling 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game.

While a contract extension seems likely, it doesn't appear as if it'll happen this offseason. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network provided more details.

This offseason (and dating back to last season) has featured numerous off-field concerns involving Nacua, who talked about the work he has done and will do to become the "best version" of himself.

Nacua would be a free agent next offseason, although the Rams in theory could place the franchise tag on him, keeping him in town for one more year.

At any rate, it appears a contract extension, at the moment, is a 2027 concern, and Nacua and the Rams are more focused on present matters as they search for a berth in the Super Bowl, which takes place on their home field at SoFi Stadium.