How Puka Nacua Has Matured, Why Bond With Matthew Stafford is Like An Adele Tune

[ad_1] Whereas Puka Nacua may not know what week it's within the NFL season, the star huge receiver has matured in an effective way for the Los Angeles Rams.

When Nacua sat down with Erin Andrews for an interview on "FOX NFL Sunday," he stated he thought the crew's matchup in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens was a Week 5 recreation, not a Week 6 tilt. However that could be the one mistake Nacua has made this season as he leads the NFL in receptions and receiving yards getting into Sunday's slate.

Now in 12 months 3, Nacua credited his continued rise as one of many league's prime huge receivers to his quarterback, Matthew Stafford, and the way he feels extra snug round him.

"It comes again to the individuals who've been round me," Nacua informed Andrews. "The atmosphere has allowed me to proceed to be myself. I am nonetheless that very same child who's attempting to ask Matthew [questions]. I simply do not name him ‘Sir’ anymore. Now, we now have a relationship. I inform him random issues. I inform him, ‘I’m taking part in ‘Name of Obligation.’"

When Nacua was a rookie who referred to as Stafford "sir," he was nonetheless fairly productive. In actual fact, Nacua set the rookie receiving yards file (1,486) in 2023. However as Nacua has clearly grow to be Stafford's favourite goal, the receiver defined their connection in a method that you simply may see in a online game or in a cartoon.

"It looks like there is a path of sunshine or vitality," Nacua stated. "Typically, it is prefer it's higher whenever you're being lined as a result of then he is like, ‘I’ve obtained to place it in a single spot.' Then, whenever you're open, it is like, ‘How do I wanna lay it as much as you?’ I believe that gentle simply finds one another and the ball is strictly the place it must be.

"Actually, it is like an Adele tune," Nacua added.

Puka Nacua defined his particular reference to QB Matthew Stafford (proper) on "FOX NFL Sunday." (Photograph by Harry How/Getty Pictures)

Not solely has the reference to Stafford helped Nacua lead the league in receiving via the primary 5 weeks of the season, however it's additionally helped him set data. His 52 receptions had been essentially the most in league historical past via the primary 5 weeks of a season. With 558 receiving yards getting into Sunday's recreation, Nacua is on tempo to be the primary receiver in NFL historical past to have at the very least 150 receptions and a pair of,000 receiving yards in a season.

But, because the fifth-round decide continues to outperform expectations, Nacua appears to be shocked with what he is accomplished up to now in his profession.

"I see the numbers I ended with in my rookie 12 months and I really feel prefer it did not appear actual," he stated.

However what Nacua does really feel, although, is empowered, thanks to go coach Sean McVay.

"I simply suppose that I'm really blessed," Nacua stated. "I consider the atmosphere that I got here into, the individuals who have been part of this journey — from my dad being my first Little League soccer coach to having Coach McVay, who looks like a terrific pal, the conversations which have occurred once I stroll by his workplace. He'll say, ‘Hey Puka, how are you doing? What’s occurring?' and simply checking in with my household as a result of he is aware of these are issues that imply lots to me."

That empowerment and maturation has additionally helped Nacua really feel extra at house in Los Angeles. He informed Andrews that he enjoys dwelling in L.A., attending Lakers and Dodgers video games whereas making journeys to Erewhon.

However the place Nacua actually feels at house is on the soccer discipline, particularly when he is getting bumped and bruised on the occasional carry (three carries up to now this season) and making blocks downfield. As Nacua's teammates have marveled at his bodily nature, he stated he merely feels snug taking part in that method.

"I believe that is my secure place," Nacua stated of his bodily play. "It looks like house. That jogs my memory of being with my brothers within the yard. The chinstrap wasn't strapped up. The shoulder pads had been too huge. We had been uninterested in tackling the dummy. My dad stated, ‘The dummy’s not shifting anymore. Puka, run the ball.'"

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