The Seattle Seahawks receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a record-breaking four-year extension worth $168.6 million with $120 million guaranteed. The deal is the biggest for a wide receiver in NFL history, making Smith-Njiba the highest-paid receiver at $42 million annually.

Deservedly so, Smith-Njiba is somewhere celebrating his extension, and so is Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, knowing his contract will be even bigger. Nacua and Smith-Njiba are both members of the 2023 draft class and the best receivers. Slated to become free agents after this upcoming season, Smith Njiba’s market-setting deal will only guarantee a huge contract for Nacua. It’s only a matter of time before it happens.

Puka’s Contract Timeline

Reportedly, the deal will take a while because of the number of crucial players the Rams need to pay. For now, the Rams are focused on getting deals done with other players and bolstering the roster before giving Nacua and other players extensions. Since Nacua is still under contract this season, the Rams have the option to wait until next offseason to get a deal done.

“My expectation, based on the conversations that I have had, is that it’s a different situation with Puka and the Rams. A lot of young guys that they have to pay, and a lot of other business to conduct, as well,” NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo said. “So, the expectation on my end is that the Puka deal is going to take a while and to be further into the summer before we see something happen there.”

General manager Les Snead is also focused on the draft. While drafted players don’t significantly impact a team’s salary space, the Rams must still evaluate which positions are the most important. Losing in the NFC Championship game last season only reaffirmed the Rams’ belief that they can win another Super Bowl under head coach Sean McVay. Nacua’s extension is imminent, but he must wait until his extension becomes a priority.

“The timeline with those players, obviously, we’ve chatted with them,” Snead said. “A lot of times, that’s been during the season or right after the season, not necessarily getting right to the nuts and bolts of the business side of it. We’ll be in conversations. We’ll have some macro-level thoughts on how we want to go forward. I do think we naturally will tackle players whose contracts are expiring first.”

Rams Current Focus

The Rams’ most favorable timeframe to complete the extension is as soon as possible because the pressure rests on their shoulders. Any hope of saving money or trying to negotiate for a more favorable deal no longer exists. Nacua’s deal will most likely be greater than Smith-Njiba’s based on his performance and importance to the team. Should Snead choose not to draft a receiver, the Rams will still be very dependent on Nacua in the open field reception game. Davante Adams had the second-highest receiving yards on the team with 789 yards and 60 receptions.

Nacua is a top-five receiver in the league, and after a 1715-yard season, he has entered the discussion as the best pass catcher in the league. He led the NFL with 107 yards per game and 129 receptions last season. His thrilling playstyle creates a nightmare matchup for any defender and creates an opportunity for an explosive play at any moment.

The Cincinnati Bengals waited an extra year to pay top league receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and it cost them. Chase eventually signed a four-year, $161 million deal with $112 million guaranteed, which was the highest at the time. Nacua’s price will only increase as time goes on. If the Rams want to save money, the time to start negotiating is now.