The football world was excited when Davante Adams signed a two-year contract worth $46 million with the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. While fans were trying to catch their breath, another issue that cropped up was whether Adams would be able to sport his famous No. 17 jersey.
After a few days, the former No. 17 for the Rams, Puka Nacua, has shifted to another jersey number that was revealed in a recently posted video by the Rams.
What Is Puka Nacua’s New Jersey Number?
As revealed in a video posted on X by the Rams’ official account, Nacua will be wearing the No. 12. The video features key moments from Nacua’s journey and represents his No. 12 jersey as sort of a homecoming.
“Having watched my other siblings wear it, this is my opportunity to put on the special No. 12. The opportunity to put on the one-two meant a lot to me,” Nacua spoke about his new jersey number to the Rams’ website.
Nacua wore both Nos. 15 and 12 during his college career. While at Washington, he switched between the two numbers, but when he transferred to BYU, he stuck with No. 12 from 2021 to 2022.
During his rookie season, Nacua adopted No. 17 while No. 12 remained unclaimed (outside of QB Dresser Winn on the practice squad). With Adams now in L.A. with his own history with No. 17, Nacua took the opportunity to return to his old number.
Adams has worn No. 17 throughout his NFL career, including stints with the Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets. Even when traded to New York, he reclaimed the number from rookie Malachi Corley. It was only fitting that he retained No. 17 with the Rams.
The Rams will make Adams and Nacua their main playmakers. Adams has been tagged as one of the NFL’s best receivers for nearly a decade and has had an illustrious career; he is expected to team up with Nacua and elevate the Rams’ offense.
Adams has built his career on precise footwork and route-running prowess rather than pure speed. His partnership with Nacua already seems off to a good start, with Nacua’s number change serving as an early sign of camaraderie. If their chemistry translates onto the field, the Rams could have one of the league’s most dangerous receiving duos.
Hopefully, the Rams will be able to completely utilize this partnership, and perhaps this will show when the season starts.