Earlier today, the Seattle Seahawks announced that they came to an agreement on a contract extension with Jaxon Smith-Njigba to make him the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
With Smith-Njigba’s new contract, one NFL analyst anticipates that it will change the timeline for a potential extension between the Los Angeles Rams and Puka Nacua.
Why the Rams Are Predicted to Delay Puka Nacua’s Contract Extension
With the 177th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the Rams selected Nacua out of BYU. Since joining the league, he has been one of the best wide receivers in the entire NFL. However, Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which expires after the 2026 NFL season.
Yet, it seemed like an extension was imminent. There’s not a lot of talent like Nacua, and losing him to another team would be detrimental to Sean McVay’s offense. Despite anticipation of a contract extension, it now appears the Rams will delay it.
Earlier on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football,” Mike Garafolo had the following to say on a potential Nacua contract extension:
“Puka Nacua is also in line for a potential contract extension. Now eligible to receive one, he was neck and neck with JSN last year as far as production and in their candidacy for Offensive Player of the Year. But my estimation based on the conversations that I’ve had is it’s a different situation with Puka and the Rams.
“A lot of young guys they have to pay and other business they have to conduct as well. The expection on my end is the Puka deal is going to take a while and could be futher into the Summer.”
From @gmfb: The #Seahawks made it a priority to get JSN’s contract extension quickly. Puka Nacua is among the WRs in line behind him but I’d expect some time before he and the #Rams get something done. pic.twitter.com/YnMpgXE5ps
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 23, 2026
This past season, the Rams ranked as the best offense in football according to PFSN’s NFL Offensive Impact Metric. In the rankings, the Rams finished with an impact score of 92.3 and a letter grade of A-, well above the next team (New England Patriots, 86.6).
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Their most significant contributor was Nacua, who finished the season with 129 receptions for 1,715 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. In PFSN’s NFL Wide Receiver Impact Metric, Nacua ranked as the best wide receiver in the league with an impact score of 98.2 and a letter grade of A+. Following him as the second-best wide receiver was Smith-Njigba.
The loss of Nacua would be terrible for the team, but the Rams aren’t prepared to have that happen. Instead, delaying the deal will give both parties more time to talk and likely make Nacua the new highest-paid wide receiver in the league.
