Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left) talks with wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Los Angeles Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua has drawn a lot of negative attention over the past few months. Most recently, Nacua had a civil lawsuit filed against him for alleged anti-semitic remarks and biting two women on New Year’s Eve.
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Nacua’s four-year rookie contract is expiring at the end of the 2026 season. And with the Seattle Seahawks signing wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba to a record-breaking four-year, $168.6 million contract extension on March 23, Nacua is projected to sign a lucrative deal in the near future.
But the big question is if the Rams are willing to pay Nacua a lot of money despite the controversy he has brought to the organization.
Sean McVay Says He Trusts Nacua
Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay (left) talks with wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) against the Los Angeles Chargers in the first half at SoFi Stadium.
Rams head coach Sean McVay defended Nacua on Monday during the annual league meeting in Phoenix, Arizona. He said Nacua has a good heart, and multiple people in his life want to help him grow.
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“You guys know, I trust this kid’s heart,” McVay said, per NBC Sports. “Love him, put your arm around him, want to continue to help him grow. And, really, get all the appropriate facts before I rush to judgment on that particular situation. But I will say, knowing this guy for three years, is I do trust his heart. I trust the human being. And I want to be able to put my arm around him.”
“I think that in a lot of instances, when you have the right heart, when you have people like his mom, his brothers, his coaches, his teammates — you’ve got a lot of people who love him and want to be able to help him continue to grow,” McVay added. “And, shoot, I had the same thing. I think about a lot of instances, even in this role, you’re growing up in the midst of it, becoming a man. And that’s exactly what we’re witnessing with him. And I want to help him become the best human being he can possibly be, because I do believe better people make better Rams. And I trust this kid’s heart, like I said.”
Nacua is clearly a huge part of the Rams’ success and one of the team’s best players. But McVay said the Pro Bowler knows he has a responsibility to represent the Rams well both on and off the field.
“This is an opportunity for him to learn and grow, and we are hopeful that he’s a Ram for a really long time,” McVay said. “But he understands what the responsibility is, not exclusive to just the production on the field.”
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images