Los Angeles Rams’ Puka Nacua On If He Expected Record-Breaking Start To Season: ‘Definitely Not’

Puka Nacua is off to a record-breaking start to the 2025 season.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver has 52 catches to go along with 588 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the first five games of the NFL season. Not only does Nacua led the league in both receptions and receiving yards, he’s the fastest player to 50-plus catches and is on pace to break the single-season record for receiving yardage.

The single-season record for receiving yardage is held by Detroit Lions great Calvin Johnson at 1,964 receiving yards.

“It goes back to the I think the process — you work so hard in the off season for the opportunities that you prepare – and then when things start playing, when you’re playing football, and there’s 11 guys out there on offense and on defense, there’s a way of moving and understanding what’s going on out there,” says Nacua in a one-on-one interview. “I’m blessed to have this guy, No. 9 (Matthew Stafford), who can throw the ball anywhere on the football field.”

Nacua was amazing during his rookie season in 2023, setting rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards. Those robust numbers resulted in a Pro Bowl bid and a Second-Team All-Pro selection.

The 24-year-old receiver’s numbers dipped last year in his sophomore campaign. Some of that had to do with injuries as he was limited to just 11 games. But it’s also worth noting his yards per reception dipped from 14.2 to 12.5.

That hasn’t been the case this season. With the addition of six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams, Nacua’s numbers have exploded.

“It’s a physical game with the game of football,” says Nacua. “When you’re catching a lot of balls, you’re getting hit by a lot of people too. The recovery has been something that’s key for me, and I’ve been ready to roll. I’ve got 22 weeks in me, so all the way to February, I’ll be ready.”

Puka Nacua On If He Expected To Produde Record-Breaking Numbers: ‘Definitely Not’

Adams also remains productive with 22 catches for 357 receiving yards and a team-leading three touchdowns. Nacua details the impact that the 32-year-old receiver has had on opening up the game for him on the field.

“Definitely not,” says Nacua when asked if he expected to produce these numbers. “I know there’s times during training camp I’m like, ‘Man, I’m so glad to have No. 17 on the other side (Adams). Or days where you know you’re not feeling your best, you need that extra kick, and you’re like, ’Wow, No. 17 is pretty damn good at football.’ So the opportunity to be next to him and line up next to him has been so fun. I definitely didn’t see it happening like this.”

Despite his record-breaking start, Nacua isn’t thinking of his end-of-season numbers. He says he doesn’t have a concrete objective when it comes to his numbers for the 2025 season.

“It’s been the mentality to take it one day at a time, (it’s) a saying that we have in our facilities,” says Nacua. “You’re one day away from your humbling moment. There are things that I can feel like I’m on the right page and moving in the right way, but then also knowing that I have to continue to earn the right to be confident, successful, and that requires the work every single day.

“No real numbers (I’m aiming for),” Nacua continues. “I want to be playing 17 games, whatever it is, and it’s always nice when you’re at the end of the season, you don’t have to play. That means that you’re in a good spot. You’re getting ready for a playoff run.”

Puka Nacua Says Invisalign Aligners Have Done ‘Wonders’ For Confidence

While producing his record-breaking season, Nacua is partnering with Invisalign. The third-year receiver is in his first season partnered with Invisalign and literally just began wearing the aligners several weeks ago at the start of the season.

He says the aligners have done wonders for his “confidence” on and off the field.

“Partnering up with Invisalign was something that I feel like it should be a thing for all athletes,” says Nacua. “You care about your body, you want to be able to feel confident, to make sure that you’re taking care of yourself. Wearing my Invisalign liners, it’s part of my kind of daily routine now. Because I get to carry my package with me everywhere. But also just the confidence I feel it has helped me with, when you go out there on a football field, you need confidence to go out there and to perform well.”

The Rams star says he loves showing off his smile with the aligners and that it’s now a part of his “routine.”

“There are so many different challenges that you’re presented with every single game day and every single practice we go out there,” says Nacua. “It keeps me on my routine of taking care of my body, but then also it makes me feel very confident when I go out there because I love to smile. People recognize them, they’re like, ‘Oh, you got your aligners. I’m like, ’Yeah, you see my smile.’ Now I’m going to continue smiling.’ It’s going to get better and better.”

Nacua teases that he may be planning an end zone celebration where he shows off his aligners the way Stephen Curry or Patrick Mahomes celebrates following a big play.

“There’s definitely will be some shots this season in the end zone of me chewing on it,” says Nacua. “I think it’s Steph Curry or Patrick Mahomes who’s chewing on it, and it’s become a thing for me too. It’s going to happen at some point.”