Seahawks writer's unsurprising Puka Nacua concerns shouldn't sway Rams one bit

The Los Angeles Rams snagged one of the biggest steals in the 2023 draft when they snagged Puka Nacua in the fifth round out of BYU. From Day 1, Nacua was clearly a game-changer, tallying nearly 1,500 rookie receiving yards and six touchdowns.

Despite missing six games as a sophomore, he still totaled nearly 1,000 yards. In Year 3, Nacua upped his game even more, amassing 1,715 yards through the air and 10 touchdowns. The guy is a top-two, if not top-one receiver in the game, and it's going to cost the Rams to keep him. They reportedly don't mind.

Bill Barnwell of ESPN wrote that an extension between Nacua and the Rams "seems inevitable." Not only that, he also said LA could use Jaxson Smith-Njigba's new contract as a blueprint. Early this offseason, the Seahawks rewarded the reigning Offensive Player of the Year with a four-year deal worth $168.6 million.

Seahawks fans aren't sold on Puka Nacua extension for Rams

If that's what the Rams have to pay Nacua to keep him in blue and yellow, then so be it. Some, however, think that could be a bad play for L.A. Seahawks writer Ernesto Cova of 12th Man Rising did not seem to think this was a good idea for Los Angeles. He even went so far as to suggest that the Rams would regret paying Nacua, calling it a move that "could come back to haunt them once it's all said and done":

"[O]ne can only wonder if his style of play is sustainable. Nacua is a relentless blocker. He's one of the most physical wide receivers out there ... something all coaches would love to see from their players, but it can also lead to sustained damage over time. He already missed six games in his second year in the league. This is a physical game, and all players are always one snap away from missing time."

Cova also touched on how Nacua's off-the-field issues could explain why the Rams haven't already extended him. It's a fair assessment, but in the end, Nacua is a pillar of the offense. Let him walk away and the whole thing could crumble.

To that point, Nacua last season more than doubled the yardage of the next-closest wideout (Davante Adams, who accumulated 789 receiving yards in 14 games). He gained more aerial real estate than the rest of the wide receiver room combined. At only 25 years old, wear and tear or not, he should have plenty of terrific ball ahead of him. Whatever it looks like, get a deal done.

It makes sense, of course, that Seahawks fans would say whatever they need to make themselves feel better about their top rivals securing a talented player under contract for the long term. Their team just extended its own elite receiver, and they would prefer to stay ahead in the arms race. Rams fans would be doing the same thing if the roles were reversed, so it's hard to blame them there.

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