'Freaking Stud!' Rams WR Puka Nacua Adds Another Record to Historic Rookie Season
Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua's storied rookie campaign came to a close in Sunday night's 24-23 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field.
Nacua starred, catching nine passes for 181 yards and a touchdown, all game-highs. He caught all but one of his targets and eclipsed the 100-yard mark in the first half.
The 22-year-old Nacua, who set single-season NFL rookie records with 105 receptions for 1,486 yards, wasn't done adding to his resume.
Jan 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) runs from Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph (31) during the second half of a 2024 NFC wild card game at Ford Field.
Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
With his 181-yard performance, Nacua broke an NFL record for receiving yards by a rookie in a playoff game, continuing his strong campaign.
Ultimately, Los Angeles fell short - but Nacua, playing on the biggest stage of his young career, reinforced the prior beliefs of Rams head coach Sean McVay.
"He's a freaking stud," McVay said. "He's a great competitor. He shows up big, makes plays, he's tough to tackle. He can work edges and win and separate. He can finish. This guy's a freaking warrior. He is a stud. I love the mindset and mentality that he has."
Nacua, a fifth-round pick in April's draft, emerged as one of the NFL's best stories this season, ranking top-10 league-wide in receptions, receiving yards and yards per game.
The 22-year-old Nacua had eight games with at least 100 receiving yards, including three of his final four, putting an exclamation point on his dominant campaign.
Nacua earned a Pro Bowl nod and second-team All-Pro honors, adding to his already illustrious rookie season with league-wide awards.
Named a finalist for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Nacua's fairytale season may have a storybook ending - but still, this is just the beginning.
"If he just continues to stay humble and keep working, this guy's gonna be a problem for a long time," McVay said.
