The Los Angeles Rams need Puka Nacua to put the events leading up to their Week 16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on “Thursday Night Football” behind him, and he aims to.
First, though, Nacua had something to say about what happened and the fallout.
The NFL’s reception leader entering Week 17, Nacua’s impact when on the field is undeniable. However, he found out last week just how much his actions off the field can draw attention for the wrong reasons and cost him financially.
Puka Nacua Breaks Silence Before Rams Game
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during warm-ups before facing the Detroit Lions.
Nacua was fined for comments made before and after the Rams’ loss to the Seahawks in Week 16, in which he criticized officials and suggested they make bogus calls with the intent of getting time on camera and later bragging to their friends about it afterward.
The NFL fined Nacua $25,000 for the remarks, which he made during a since-controversial live stream with Adin Ross, and then again in a post on X after the loss to Seattle.
Nacua said the fine “definitely hurt,” but admitted that he “expected” it after his comments.
“Just, I guess, a learning moment and an experience to learn from. And, man, to never let it happen again, and the opportunities of–man, there’s going to be moments of frustration later on in the career, whether it’s ups and downs on my personal half or on the team’s half,” Nacua told reporters on December 26. “Just being able to manage those emotions and be able to send that energy in the right direction.”
Nacua said that he was “100%” eager to put the entire ordeal, which was only one of the headline-grabbing moments that included him, behind him. Christmas provided Nacua with an ideal cover story.
“I’m glad there was something, like a big thing going on. Something that would, kind of, push everything to the previous week,” Nacua said.
“It’s been nice to enjoy, celebrate, and rejoice, and then get ready for what’s ahead of us.”
Sean McVay Used Incident as Teaching Moment for Puka Nacua
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams warms up before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.
Rams head coach Sean McVay made it abundantly clear that he told Nacua about more appropriate alternatives to vent his frustrations, including himself, to avoid drawing the kind of attention he did with his comments and actions.
McVay called those conversations “unnecessary” and something he knows Nacua does not want to participate in.
The head coach also expressed confidence that it would no longer be an issue.
“He’s going to continue to mature. It’s similar to what I said yesterday. I talked with him right afterwards. He is a young guy that is continuing to learn the importance of this platform,” McVay said of his conversations with Nacua.
“I love him. I love his heart. What I want to continue to educate him on is there’s platforms that he’s got an incredible influence on. There’s a time to be able to have people to vent to. That is not the space to do that. He knows that, and I feel very confident that that will not be an issue for us moving forward.”
Puka Nacua Admitted ‘Frustration’ After 2nd Incident
GettyPuka Nacua #12 of the Los Angeles Rams reacts against the Seattle Seahawks.
Nacua said he did not really believe his comments about officials making up calls after the loss to the Seahawks, telling reporters postgame that it was “just a lack of awareness” and was said in a moment of “frustration.”
However, he said he would try to internalize those frustrations in more productive ways.
“You watch other games, and you think of the calls that some guys get,” Nacua said following the loss to the Seahawks. “You wish you could get some of those. But that’s just how football is played, and I’ll do my job in order to work my technique to make sure that there’s not an issue with the call.”
McVay made it abundantly clear that he–and, therefore, the Rams–is standing by Nacua to help him learn and grow from the situation.
“I’m betting on the human being,” McVay said.
“I’m gonna put my arm around him, and the narrative doesn’t change from yesterday in regards to we’re always going to be able to learn. And I think he’s a great example of being able to learn from it, and I think you guys are going to see that moving forward. I don’t think, I know you will.”
That is exactly what Nacua said McVay’s message to him was. Like Nacua, McVay is surely ready to move past the entire series of events.
“He’s right there behind me,” Nacua said after the Rams’ loss in Week 16.
Rams WR Puka Nacua Breaks Silence About Costly Decision After NFL Weighs In