RSS Rams Team Notes

[Los Angeles Rams]

Rams free agent shopping list on the defensive side of ball

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 28: Montaric Brown #30 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on from the sideline during the national anthem prior to an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images

There is work to do on the defensive side of the ball for the Los Angeles Rams this offseason.

The first priority will be finding stability at corner. It may get worse before it gets better. Cobie Durant, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Roger McCreary are slated to hit free agency. That leaves just Emmanuel Forbes, Josh Wallace, and Darious Williams under contract so far for 2026, and Williams is a likely cap casualty.

Will the Rams opt for secure veteran options through free agency or wait to fix longer term through the draft?

And Kamren Curl will be one of the top players hitting the open market at safety. The Athletic has pegged his price tag at four years and $65M total. It would be uncharacteristic for the Rams to pay such a lofty price at what they consider a lower value position.

Which defenders could the Rams target in free agency? These are options I would be excited about should they sign in LA followed by their projected contract from The Athletic.

Read the list from the offensive side of the ball here.

Interior defensive line​

None​

The Rams are rich along the interior. While they may need to extend Kobie Turner at a hefty price tag, Braden Fiske, Tyler Davis, and Ty Hamilton are all on rookie deals. Poona Ford proved to be a relative bargain signing from last offseason.

Can LA add depth through the draft and possibly avoid signing someone like Fiske in future years? Yes, and this would be a worthwhile investment.

EDGE rusher​

Jacob Martin, Commanders​

Two years, $15M

The two starting EDGE spots are set with Jared Verse and Byron Young. Young is entering the final year of his rookie deal and Martin could be a short-term solution that brings a floor into 2027. His projected contract value won’t break the bank.

Signing a veteran could be detrimental to the development of Josaiah Stewart and recently converted OLB Desjuan Johnson. But you can never have too many EDGE rushers. If you can buy them at a bargain bin price you should.

Martin had 45 pressures last season and sacks. He’s also a capable run defender for being a little slight of frame.

Linebacker​

Quay Walker, Packers​

Two years, $17M

Walker was a draft disappointment given his status as a 2022 former first round pick. At this point he is still more of an idea than a polished football player; however, his athleticism and pass coverage skills would give the Rams something they don’t have.

Would we feel better about Nate Landman if he was primarily asked to stop the run and then paired with a coverage specialist? That is the dream of buying low in Walker.

Quay Walker (#7) calmly reading out the Lions screen, splitting the blockers, and gets the TFL. pic.twitter.com/rx8IY5fksQ

— Nate Tice (@Nate_Tice) September 8, 2025

Corner​

Riq Woolen, Seahawks​

Four years, $76M

Montaric Brown, Jaguars​

Two years, $13M

Waiting until the draft to course correct at corner invites uncertainty. Solving the problem through free agency at least sets the floor shorter term and then the draft could bring solutions for further down the line. With how many players the Rams are set to lose at corner this offseason they are in need of a total overhaul.

Woolen is a risky signing because he’s fallen out of favor at times on one of the best defenses in football. His physical profile and athletic traits are as good as it gets, and the Rams can bet on their coaching staff to get the most out of him.

Brown is more of a floor player that can bring starting experience at a cost that won’t break the bank. He’s a capable player that is at least an inch taller and ten pounds heavier than Durant and McCreary. For as much as the Rams need new bodies at corner, they also are in need of size.

For all the talk #Jaguars fans have had about who to extend, I haven’t seen anyone mention Montaric Brown’s name.

What a year he’s had.
pic.twitter.com/iZ9y1JtMur

— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) December 24, 2025

Safety​

Dane Belton, Giants​

No projection (outside of top 150)

The Rams have found success in the later rounds of the draft in terms of buying low on safeties, but it’s a bit problematic because they haven’t done it recently. Kamren Kinchens will return as a starter. Kam Curl will likely leave for greener pastures filled with money.

That leaves LA with Jalen McCollough with notable playing experience. McCollough is more of a hybrid player than a traditional safety.

Belton isn’t anything special. He’ll be 26 for next season and appeared in 66 games (22 starts) across his first four seasons with the Giants. Would the Rams hope to find a better option through the draft? Sure. This signing at least lessens the chance you are drafting for need.

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-a.../135322/rams-free-agency-targets-defense-2026

 

[Los Angeles Rams]

Can Puka Nacua balance celebrity with stardom?

Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua during NFL Honors' red carpet at Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Thursday, February 5, 2026. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Two years ago I tweeted that Puka Nacua was going to sign a contract extension worth over $30 million per season and that he would prove to be a better receiver than Ja’Marr Chase, a declaration that even Rams fans said was going too far. Now entering his first offseason as an extension eligible player, Nacua’s contract valuation will push to exceed Chase’s record-breaking contract from 2025, a deal that pays him over $40 million per year.

Are fans still going to push back on my belief that Puka is going to be the highest-paid receiver in the league?

Now that Nacua has established that he’s as good as any receiver in the league and as the Rams are finalizing the terms of a contract that could pay him more than Chase, the next question specific to Nacua has to be about whether or not he’s ready for celebrity and fame.

Since becoming a true NFL star, Puka has certainly acted like a young person excited by the spotlight and at times that has drawn comparisons not to Chase, but to Antonio Brown.

In Puka Nacua's Defense, He Was Probably Hammered Drunk When He Tweeted That Thing About Sam Darnold https://t.co/bNuGd61exv pic.twitter.com/oGq1CIbjNx

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 10, 2026

Rams 24-year-old WR Puka Nacua is rumored to be dating 39-year-old WWE star Charlotte Flair after being spotted at the Daytona 500 pic.twitter.com/eZ4pIxy0kV

— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) February 17, 2026

Puka did appear to be speaking in gibberish in one clip at the Daytona 500:

This mf Puka Nacua is deadass on another universe pic.twitter.com/ICpMNAaYSp

— Playoff Evan (@Baltlol) February 17, 2026

Spotted in LA

Puka Nacua was recently seen out with influencer Hannah Stocking.#Rams #PukaNacua #LARams #NFL #LA pic.twitter.com/jrzkR3yFrn

— LAFB Network (@LAFBNetwork) February 11, 2026

Is there going to be a limit for “too much” or is it just a focused athlete enjoying his days off?

Aside from now becoming a part of the “who is he dating?” celebrity culture, a pretty normal side of modern day pro athlete stardom, Puka has also been cozying up to 49ers cheerleaders, fans, and players when basically any opportunity comes up for a photo shoot or a podcast.

TRENDING: #Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua is under heavy criticism from fans for taking a photo with #49ers cheerleaders in San Francisco.



Thoughts on this…? pic.twitter.com/lDPlIWdq5d

— MLFootball (@MLFootball) February 18, 2026

Fred Warner and Puka Nacua discuss 49ers-Rams matchup in Australia next season pic.twitter.com/vqMQ8jGJ3W

— Real Ones (@RealOnesGFS) February 7, 2026

If we have entered the age when NFL players won’t be able to keep their dating lives and drinking habits private, have we exited the one where rival players actually want to beat each other in football — or would at least pretend to by not accepting literally any invitation to make an appearance on a podcast for no comprehensible reason?

I mean, call me old fashioned but perhaps the thing that young NFL players do today that is far more confounding than doing too many commercials or sending a drunk tweet that they regret is podcasts.

PODCASTS?! WHY???​

What exactly are players getting out of being on every other podcast every other day? I understand why musicians, actors, and comedians do podcast interviews, to promote something that they need to sell so that they can make a living. But active NFL players don’t have anything to promote to make money because they’re getting paid to play football. They will get paid the same whether they are more famous or less famous, as long as they continue to perform at a high level.

In fact, the only possible result of doing a bunch of podcasts is a loss of skill, not a gain. Explaining your process or what happened behind the scenes of a recent game while you’re still in the NFL could only do harm, not good. It’s probably not going to do anything but that’s just as much the same point:

Puka Nacua can’t get ANYTHING from doing a podcast. Yet he still seems to love the opportunity to say yes to any interview on the table.

Puka Nacua on his first interaction with Aaron Donald, via Maxx Crosby’s podcast pic.twitter.com/4EFi6ORcce

— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) March 31, 2024

“It’s like… ‘Oh, I don’t want to be here.’ And then, ‘Hey, look, I’m back, guys.’”

Puka Nacua says Myles Garrett is the NFL's version of Giannis Antetokounmpo

(via @PatMcAfeeShow)pic.twitter.com/pIw1dbo17l

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) February 7, 2026

Puka Nacua on LeBron James:

“Score 40 when you’re a teen, scored 40 when you were 40. The only person to take 3 different franchises to the big dance and get it done for them. Never seen Michael Jordan do that. I never want you to leave. Never retire. They could never do no… pic.twitter.com/hBSg5pCJfh

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) February 9, 2026

Puka Nacua: Star on the field AND in the salon️ @AsapPuka #A1Family | #TheBlock pic.twitter.com/yIBqIN0Wzy

— Athletes First (@AthletesFirst) February 13, 2026

OPOY finalist Puka Nacua joined @ColleenWolfe on the red carpet!

He explains who he's rooting for in the Super Bowl (by @Invisalign) pic.twitter.com/H3r5cSxeJJ

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 6, 2026

The almost daily appearances by Puka doing something or other that goes viral online is leading Puka to being compared to Antonio Brown by some fans.

It’s one thing to pop up online once in a while and make a funny joke about wanting to date Sydney Sweeney, but seriously I don’t understand how one of the best football players in the world who still has so much more room to develop has time for all the interviews and public appearances and commercials and gaming that he does.

"There's nobody more deserving than that guy. Can't believe he's in Year 55 playing fantastic football… When he said I'm coming back, I almost did a front flip."

Puka Nacua is ECSTATIC about his QB Matthew Stafford being named NFL MVP@AsapPuka | @RamsNFL | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/LUCDv1VxsS

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) February 6, 2026

It’s truly another testament to this guy’s skill that he was arguably the best football player in the world in 2025.

Wide Receivers vs man and zone over the last two seasons. Puka Nacua is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/y8uTDXFhs8

— Football Insights (@fball_insights) February 6, 2026

But the unfortunate reality of the NFL is that this is not the NBA or the MLB—almost nobody is “the best” for very long when it’s football. The sport is too violent and too based on athletic skill to believe that Puka Nacua will have the same longevity of LeBron James or Michael Jordan. In actuality, while an NBA star can dominate for 10-15 years or a great pitcher can stand atop the game for over a decade, the NFL’s best receiver usually has 3-5 years tops.

Even the GOAT receiver Jerry Rice had 10 years when he was elite and then 10 years when he was just really good. And that’s JERRY RICE.

Compare that to Rams great Cooper Kupp and there’s a guy who was literally the best receiver in the league for one season. ONE. That’s it. And that’s COOPER KUPP.

While Puka is milking every ounce of “celebrity” from Internet fame, the priority still has to be on his football career and making sure that the only conversations that anyone is having about Nacua is whether or not he should have won Offensive Player of the Year over Jaxon Smith-Njigba or what he can do to help the Rams beat the Seahawks and the other 30 teams to win the next Super Bowl.

Those are the only conversations anyone should be having about Nacua for the next 12 months.

But it was just a couple of months ago that Nacua showed up on an Adin Ross twitch stream during a playoff run and then having to apologize for an “antisemitic dance”.

Ian Rapoport addresses the Puka Nacua apology on the TNF pregame show.

He also reports, "Do not be surprised if [Nacua] gets fined" for the NFL refs comments from the same livestream. #NFL #TNF pic.twitter.com/2JGhSqiMzf https://t.co/lNK0yDh4q2

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 19, 2025

And since losing to Seattle in the NFC Championship game, Nacua has only appeared in the news for: a) being drunk in public, b) tweeting some shade about Sam Darnold, c) acting strange at the Daytona 500, d) podcast appearance after podcast appearance, e) all of the above.

Look you can say about any 24-year-old athlete superstar, “He’s only 24!” and you’d be 100% right. He’s acting like a normal 24-year-old.

Which could be a problem…because Puka Nacua is anything but “normal”. He’s living in this small bubble of his entire lifetime where he can be the best football player in the world. This opportunity will fade faster than the route. Kupp might tell you that winning Offensive Player of the Year was both the best thing and the worst thing to ever happen to him;

“Best” because Kupp was phenomenal and won the Super Bowl.

“Worst” because the toll it took on his body probably robbed him of the next three years of his career.

And that’s “family man” Cooper Kupp.

Nacua is coming off of a season in which he was targeted over 200 times and he missed one game. He missed six games in 2024. He has been unable to finish multiple games in the last year because of injuries.

So if Path A is: Puka Nacua never shows up in the media, he’s too busy.

And Path B is: This.

Well, as a Rams fan, or as the general manager of the Rams about to pay him over $100 million guaranteed to own the rights to that small window of time when he’s an absolute great, which Path would you want to choose for him?

Don’t just blindly choose B because you recognize, like we all should, that Puka is a phenomenal player and potentially the best in the league right now. Just be selfish for once and answer the question of what you would hope for out of those two options for Puka to give himself over to completely: Celebrity or Stardom?

I once told you that Puka Nacua was going to become the best receiver in the world and few people believed or agreed with me.

Now I’m saying that there’s no way that a star football player showing up in the non-football news every other week is better than disappearing until training camp. Will you believe me now?

Source: https://www.turfshowtimes.com/los-angeles-rams-salary-cap/135232/puka-nacua-rams-celebrity-status