Rams GM Les Snead declines to discuss Puka Nacua contract negotiations

[ASFN Admin]

Puka Nacua is entering the final year of his rookie contract, but there doesn’t seem to be any real urgency from the Los Angeles Rams to get a deal done before Week 1. They’re a team that typically hammers out contracts around this time of year, which would be a logical timeline for a player of Nacua’s caliber, too.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported recently that he doesn’t expect Nacua to get a new deal before the season begins and on Sunday, general manager Les Snead declined to comment on negotiations when asked about them by ESPN’s Dan Graziano.

That’s not unusual, especially for a high-profile player like Nacua, but it would’ve been encouraging to hear even a small update.

Snead declined to answer a question about negotiations with Nacua on a contract extension, saying, "We'll keep that between us." But he did say Nacua is "in a great spot," meaning the receiver is healthy and focused after a tumultuous offseason. Nacua is facing a lawsuit from a woman who alleges he made an antisemitic remark and bit her on the left shoulder on New Year's Eve.

If Nacua doesn’t sign an extension before Week 1, he’s set to make just $5.8 million this year. That’s a massive bargain for the Rams, which could be why they’re taking their time in negotiations.

There’s also the fact that Nacua had some off-field missteps dating back to January. The Rams want to see improvements in Nacua’s maturity, and he’s taken the necessary steps to better his personal life away from the field.

Whether Nacua gets a new deal before the regular season starts is unclear, but there’s little question that the Rams want him to be in Los Angeles long-term. It’s just a matter of working out a deal that makes sense for both parties.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams GM Les Snead declines to discuss Puka Nacua contract negotiations

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