Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua is heading into his third season looking to set new career highs, bouncing back from a season that saw him slip below 1,000 yards due to injury. Just staying on the field will help, but career bests don’t fall out of the sky.
Nacua will need support from the offensive line to buy time for him to get down the field so Matthew Stafford can deliver accurate, deep passes.
He’s also going to need another star receiver to help take the attention. That receiver is set to be Davante Adams. However, Adams’ addition has raised questions about who the leader in the room is between the veteran Nacua and the well-traveled Adams. Nacua recently set the record straight.
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According to a report by Pro Football Talk, Nacua said in an interview on NFL Network that Adams has taken the throne in the wide receiver room. Nacua is learning from him and appears to be thrilled about it.
“Nacua also said Adams has become the leader of the wide receiver room, and Nacua is soaking up knowledge from Adams, who is heading into his 12th NFL season,” the report claimed.
“Davante, as soon as he stepped into the facility, has been fantastic,” Nacua said. “The ability to learn the game from another all-time great has been — I feel like I’m stealing. I’m like a kid in the candy store. I’ve had Matthew Stafford, Sean McVay, Cooper Kupp, and now Davante Adams. My life is pretty good, I can’t complain too much.”
While Adams’ addition is a positive impact for the squad, it also comes with a danger for Nacua.
Puka Nacua’s Reaction To Davante Adams Raises Warning Call For Los Angeles Rams
Between Puka Nacua’s statement and seemingly handing over his jersey number on a silver platter, it’s clear that the younger wide receiver is doing all he can to show respect to the former Green Bay Packers franchise receiver. However, his reaction to the situation requires a word of warning.
Nacua is saying and doing the right things to keep the peace, but his actions also indicate that he might be a little too ready to hand over the spotlight. Nacua needs to be ready to lead the wide receiver room if required and prepare himself for that moment because it’s closer than he might realize.
Adams is heading into an age-33 season, which means he is likely only to have one year left as a top starting wide receiver. If Adams takes a step back in the next 12 months, it will fall on Nacua to step up, and he needs to be ready when that time comes.
He can’t fall into the trap of assuming that Adams will take much of the load off on the field and in the locker room, perhaps like Cooper Kupp did.
In the not-too-distant future, Puka Nacua is set to be the ranking veteran in the room, not just at wide receiver, but on the offense as a whole. He will need to prepare himself for that moment.