Puka Nacua is in prime position to realize Calvin Johnson's bold endorsement

Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua is one of the most dominant pass-catchers in the NFL, and fortunately for him, Matthew Stafford is his quarterback. Stafford has also been pretty lucky in his career, having the privilege of throwing to Calvin Johnson, Cooper Kupp, and now Nacua.

With Johnson, back in Detroit in 2012, Stafford helped the Hall of Fame receiver set the single-season record for receiving yards with 1,964. In 2021, with the Rams, Stafford was the quarterback when Kupp posted 1,947 receiving yards, falling just short of Johnson’s record (coincidence?).

That mark has been pretty safe since Kupp got near it, but Johnson thinks it could fall soon. Speaking with the Detroit Free Press on Monday, at his annual celebrity golf outing, he argued that ultimately it's only a matter of time (subscription required), especially with the regular season likely to reach 18 games eventually.

As for which receiver will be the one to break it, Johnson is going with Nacua. Honestly? He's hardly going out on a limb with the pick.

Johnson predicts that Nacua will break his single-season receiving record

In Johnson's eyes, as long as the young wideout has Stafford throwing him the ball, he has a shot at the record given good health. The Hall of Famer also said it would be cool if his former teammate, Stafford, is part of the new record, and Johnson even said that he would want to attend the game when it happens, because he’s a fan of Nacua.

Johnson admitted that in recent years, his prediction was actually that Justin Jefferson would be the one to do it. With how the Minnesota Vikings messed up Jefferson’s quarterback situation, Johnson has pivoted.

That’s certainly a solid prediction, considering that Nacua posted 1,715 yards in 16 games last season, leading the league in yards per contest. Missing a game didn't stop him from pacing the field with 129 receptions on 166 targets. Nacua will be Stafford's go-to target again this season as the Rams lean heavily on him and Davante Adams.

Still just 25 and only entering his fourth season, the former fifth-round pick has rapidly ascended to the top of the receiver ranks. Stafford is coming off an MVP season. Nacua is his favorite target. He should be in prime position to make a push at the record, so if Johnson wants to be there, he had better keep his calendar open for sometime late this season.

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