Puka Nacua On Why The Los Angeles Rams Can Emerge As An Elite Team In 2025

Puka Nacua knows the Los Angeles Rams are at the door step of becoming an elite team in the NFC.

The Rams have clinched back-to-back playoff appearances under this current core and were 22 yards away from scoring the game-clinching touchdown against the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

That game showed there’s not much separation between the best team in the NFL and the Rams. In fact, in the Eagles three other postseason games, they defeated their opponents by an average margin of 20.6 points per game.

“100%,” says Nacua in a one-on-one interview when asked if the Rams’ playoff run gives him confidence they can be an elite team. “We got a great young core and we continue to bring back most of our pieces, and we’ve had some great new additions.

“With Coach McVay leading the squad, there’s no doubt in anybody’s mind over here, with the energy and the enthusiasm that he brings to the team meetings into this football organization is unmatched. We’re steady building the pieces right now, our foundation to go all the way through February.”

Many people forget that the Rams were actually one of the best teams in the second half of the season last year. After starting out the year 1-4, Los Angeles went 8-3 in their next 11 games.

Prior to their close playoff loss to the Eagles, they defeated the 14-3 Minnesota Vikings in a blowout win, defeating them 27-9. The Vikings had the second-best record in the NFL last season.

The Rams have since reloaded with key additions such as star wide receiver Davante Adams and veteran defensive tackle Poona Ford. The addition of Adams comes following the departure of longtime receiver Cooper Kupp, who is now a member of the Seattle Seahawks.

Nacua speaks glowingly of Adams, with the two starting to gain chemistry with one another at the start of OTAs earlier this week. The third-year receiver jokingly says he’s trying to “steal” all of the 32-year-old receiver’s tips as he works on his craft this offseason.

“He’s been around the league, so the knowledge that he has is also not from this offense,” says Nacua of Adams. “It’s been fun to kind of get some stuff that isn’t common knowledge over here in the Rams organization, because he’s been in different places. It’s been fun to hear how he’s been communicating with Coach McVay and how he’s been communicating with us.”

When asked how the Rams can take the next step up from being a pesky playoff team into one that can win the Super Bowl, Nacua has a simple answer – limit the “self-inflicting” mistakes.

The Rams had two costly turnovers (fumbles) in their loss to the Eagles, while Philadelphia had zero.

“Limiting our self-inflicted wounds,” says Nacua of how the Rams can emerge as an elite team. “Some of the penalties that we have throughout the season, where they may not impact that game, and you still end up winning the game and having some holding calls or having a false start. How pivotal those can be in a playoff game when you’re in the crunch time moments, and some of those things happen.”

Nacua takes accountability saying that he wants to limit his drops moving forward. By doing so, the Rams can beat “anybody.”

“I know that I can speak for myself of limiting drops,” says Nacua. “There are times where Matthew Stafford can put the ball anywhere on the football field, and my job is to catch the ball. To go out there and catch every pass he throws is my goal. I know that I can improve in that way. Everybody else on the Rams offense is always doing their job. If I do my job, I know we’ll be ready to beat anybody.”

Puka Nacua Partnering With Sleep Number During 2025 NFL Draft

Nacua is partnering with Sleep Number heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, joining a number of other NFL stars, including his teammate Matthew Stafford. Stafford actually stars with his wife, Kelly, in a Sleep Number commercial that’s been prominently featured over the past few months.

The 23-year-old details why he’s partnering with the sleep + wellness partner of the NFL, explaining that Sleep Number beds have actually improved his sleep tremendously.

“The information it gives you,” says Nacua of what sets Sleep Number apart from other bed companies. “It tracks your REM sleep and it gives you your sleep schedule. It tells you when’s the best time for you to work out. My sleep number is 55. I like it a little softer than some people do, but also I need a little bit of firmness. Once I got my solid number, it shows you how well you sleep at every number that you choose.”