Los Angeles Rams Wide Receiver Puka Nacua Anticipates Well-Deserved Rest After a Grueling Rookie Season
After an arduous rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Rams, wide receiver Puka Nacua is eagerly looking forward to some relaxation ahead of the 2024 NFL season.
Nacua, who had a remarkable 2023 season, recently joined PFT Live during Super Bowl week to reflect on his stellar performance with the Rams. When asked about his feelings after his debut season, Nacua humorously remarked that he feels much older than his age of 22.
Sharing his sentiments with ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, Nacua jokingly said, “I feel old, like I’ve aged 25 years. It’s been an incredibly long year, and those 18 weeks felt like an eternity. But it’s a relief to finally lay down on my bed and… not wake up at 6:00 in the morning thinking, ‘Alright, time to hit the cold tub and the ice tub to get my body going.’ So, I stretched out comfortably, propped up some extra pillows, and decided, ‘I’m going to sleep in today.'”
Selected by the Rams in the fifth round of the 2023 draft from BYU, Nacua swiftly emerged as one of the NFL’s most promising young wide receivers during his rookie season. He amassed an impressive 105 receptions for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns in 17 games, earning himself a well-deserved Pro Bowl selection.
In 2023, only veteran wide receivers Tyreek Hill, CeeDee Lamb, and Amon-Ra St. Brown surpassed Nacua in receiving yards. Moreover, Nacua’s 105 catches and 1,486 yards set new NFL rookie records.
Previously held by Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle and former Houston Oilers receiver Bill Groman, Nacua’s exceptional rookie performance solidified his place among the league’s elite. With such an outstanding debut, Nacua is poised to face heightened expectations in the upcoming 2024 season, and rightfully so.
