PHOENIX — Even as All-Pro receiver Puka Nacua is embroiled in another off-field scandal, Rams head coach Sean McVay indicated Monday at the NFL’s annual league meetings that the organization is still prepared to make a long-term commitment to Nacua.
“We are hopeful that he’s a Ram for a really long time,” McVay said. “But he understands what the responsibility is, not exclusive to just the production on the field.”
Last week, several news organizations reported that a woman filed a lawsuit and a petition for a temporary restraining order against Nacua, accusing him of biting her during a night out in December and making antisemitic comments. An attorney for Nacua denied the comments — adding that there were eyewitnesses to refute the claim — and dismissed the biting as “horseplay”.
Nacua’s attorney has said that the receiver plans to file a countersuit for defamation, and since then, the woman has withdrawn her petition for a temporary restraining order.
“That was something that we’ve known about for a while. I think the biggest thing is is we’re continuing to gather all the information,” McVay said, talking in a conference room at the Arizona Biltmore. “But man, you guys know, I trust this kid’s heart. Love him. Put your arm around him, want to continue to help him grow. And really get all the appropriate facts before I kind of rush to judgment on that particular situation. What I will say, knowing this guy for three years is, I do trust his heart. I trust the human being.”
This is not the first off-field incident that Nacua has gotten ensnared in in recent months. In December, he appeared on a livestream in which he made several controversial comments criticizing NFL officiating and saying that he did not believe concussions were real injuries. He also promised the streamer that he would do a dance with antisemitic connotations after his next touchdown.
Prior to the Rams’ next game that week against the Seattle Seahawks, Nacua apologized for doing the dance on the stream, stating he was unaware that it contained hurtful tropes about Jewish people. But when the game ended in a Rams loss that included a controversial two-point conversion call, Nacua repeated his criticisms of the officials on social media.
These incidents have brought increased scrutiny on Nacua as he becomes eligible for a rookie contract extension. With an average of 104.3 catches, 1,397 receiving yards and seven total touchdowns in his three seasons, Nacua’s extension stands to potentially reset the receiver market after Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba signed a four-year, $168.6 million extension earlier this month.
“The play on the field is amazing. And then with what the play has dictated and determined, there’s a responsibility in terms of representing all things, not exclusive to just that. He knows that,” McVay said. “Those are the expectations. And you know, we’re hopeful that that’ll be something that this will be an opportunity for him to learn and grow.”
McVay acknowledged that life has changed quickly for Nacua, who has skyrocketed to fame after being a fifth-round pick out of BYU in 2023. But he said he thinks Nacua has the support system from his brothers and mother, not to mention coaches and teammates, to navigate the challenges.
“You got a lot of people that love him and want to be able to help him continue to grow. And shoot, I had the same thing,” McVay said. “I think about a lot of instances even in this role, you’re growing up in the midst of it, becoming a man. And that’s exactly what we’re witnessing with him. And I want to help him become the best human being that he can possibly be.”