Rams get tricky $156M Puka Nacua prediction with Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson contracts

The Los Angeles Rams have a few big decisions to make this offseason. While the future of Matthew Stafford in the NFL is a major issue, there's another player who has an uncertain future with the Rams.

Puka Nacua, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick, will be heading into the final year of his deal. He's going to be a free agent after the 2026 season, and the Rams need to make a decision with him now.

But the Rams are facing a tricky situation. ESPN's Dan Graziano gave a $156 million prediction for the Rams and Nacua, but with the contracts of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase in mind, this deal might be very hard to figure out.

Rams face tricky Puka Nacua extension decision amid $156M prediction

"Predictions: Nacua: Four years, $156 million with $90 million guaranteed at signing," Graziano predicts.

A $156 million deal over four years would have Nacua at $39 million per year, which is a lot of money for a wide receiver, but considering how great Nacua is, it would be worth it.

But, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba also coming off a huge season and eligible for an extension, there is plenty of speculation over how they could impact one another's market.

For Nacua and JSN, they will impact each other's contracts, but so too will the deals that Chase and Jefferson signed. The Cincinnati Bengals have Chase on a massive $40.25 million deal, while Jefferson is signed for $35 million with the Minnesota Vikings.

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Signing Nacua to an extension will be tricky for the Rams in three ways. The first is that Nacua will simply want a lot of money, with this $156 million prediction proving as such.

Smith-Njigba's contract negotiation will also have a big impact, as will the deals already signed by Jefferson and Chase.

Add on that the Rams will need to manage their money properly with Stafford and other players in need of extensions, and a Nacua deal is incredibly complicated.

After a 129 catch, 1,715-yard, and 10 TD season, Nacua is poised to land a massive deal. He deserves it, but for the Rams, it's not only going to be difficult to fit his deal on their books, but it's going to be tricky to negotiate with the superstar WR this offseason.

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