Puka Nacua became a team sensation seemingly overnight for the Los Angeles Rams. However, what February taught Rams fans was just how big of a mark Nacua left on the NFL in 2023. Following a breakout rookie campaign, the receiver was treated to essentially going on tour to bask in the glory of his accomplishments.
First, it started with a trip to the NFL Pro Bowl early in February. He was present for the week’s festivities and the game on Sunday, February 4th, where he went viral for fake signing a 49ers fan’s jersey. He also had a decent showing in the all-star game. However, it would not be his last appearance in an all-star event that month, either.
The Pro Bowl event took place in Orlando, Florida. Following the game, Puka Nacua crossed the country to Las Vegas, Nevada, where he made several appearances at Super Bowl Radio Row in the week leading up to the Super Bowl between the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers. He did various interviews during his time in Las Vegas, appearing on programs such as Pro Football Talk and press Q&As with Next-Gen Stats.
However, his tour was not yet done as on February 16th, Nacua was spotted as a leading player in the NBA All-Star celebrity game in Indianapolis, Indiana. Nacua routinely dumped the basketball through the net via slam dunks early and often in what became his team’s winning effort alongside Micah Parsons.
Overall, February proved to be a month of events unlike what many players can go their entire careers without experiencing. Nacua did these and much more after just one season with Sean McVay.
Puka Nacua’s Rise Sets High Bar For 2024
Of course, it would not have been possible without a scintillating performance out of the gate. Puka Nacua slid into the Cooper Kupp role beautifully, logging 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. With Kupp now healthy going into 2024, one can only wonder what the pair could look like for an entire season together.
Still, Nacua proved he could do more than hold his own after logging seven games of 100 or more yards, including four performances of at least 145 yards. That said, with a year’s worth of tape now floating around the zeitgeist, defenses now have six months to plan a way to minimize his abilities. Will Nacua be able to zig his way to another festival-filled February in 2025?