If Puka Nacua proves to the Los Angeles Rams that he’s put the past behind him and that he will have a squeaky clean lifestyle from here on out, he might feel worthy of the contract extension that even Sean McVay has admitted the team is worried about giving him right now.
But Nacua knows that it only takes one bad break for a player’s career to be over and now that he’s eligible for an extension for the first time, the difference between showing up and holding out could be worth $200 million. That’s
too much money to expect Puka to just lay down and play for the $5.8 million he’s due next season.
Wynston Wilcox of Fansided speculated if Nacua would holdout for a $200 million contract:
This feels like the NFL’s best-kept secret. Puka Nacua hasn’t ruffled any feathers, but he’s been one of the most destructive receivers in the NFL since he was drafted and is due for a massive payday. With his off-the-field actions lately, though, his extension talks could be at risk. For now, he’s not holding out; still, after several historic contracts were handed out to receivers, you have to think Nacua is going to want to reset the market again.
Could Nacua reach $200 million on his deal? It’s possible.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba set a record by signing a four-year, $168.6 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. If the Rams want to go for more years with Nacua, he could sign a five-year deal worth over $200 million.
There’s little question that when it comes down to football, there is no player besides Matthew Stafford who is more valuable to the L.A. Rams right now.
But it is Puka’s off-field actions, and at times his physical playing style that leads to missing action, that could give the Rams pause and potentially lead to a stand-off. Whether it is a holdout or the increasingly popular “hold-in”, which is no different but involves the player showing up to avoid fines.
Because no matter how much fans think Puka Nacua will want to avoid any headlines that could make him look like he’s not a team player, none of that matters when there’s $150-$200 million at stake.
