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The Los Angeles Rams are approaching what may become the most delicate contract negotiation of the Sean McVay era, and according The Athletic, the discussion surrounding star receiver Puka Nacuagoes beyond production on the field.
Judging from his play alone, Nacua has already earned a massive payday. The former fifth-round pick has developed into one of football’s elite receivers, piling up over 4,000 career receiving yards while earning multiple All-Pro honors.
With the market exploding after Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks, league projections now place Nacua’s value somewhere near, or even above, $44 million annually.
But The Athletic reported the Rams want to see “a pattern of strong behavior” before fully committing to a deal that could exceed $170 million.
That hesitation stems from a series of off-field incidents that have raised concerns inside the organization. Nacuaspent part of this offseason in a holistic care facilityfollowing several controversies toward the end of the 2025 season, including a civil lawsuit alleging he bit a woman while intoxicated while also using anti-semitic slurs during a New Year’s Eve incident.
The pattern appears to have forced the Rams to slow down extension talks. That is where the franchise tag suddenly becomes a realistic option.
The Rams have rarely used the tag under their current leadership structure. In fact, the last time they used it was in 2018, when they tagged safety Lamarcus Joyner for one final season before ultimately allowing him to leave in free agency a year later.
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Using the tag on Nacua would allow Los Angeles to buy time while avoiding the long-term risk of guaranteeing over $100 million immediately. Current projections estimate a 2027 receiver franchise tag would cost between $30 million and $36 million for one season.
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