LOS ANGELES – Former BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua took to social media after finding out his receiver running mate and mentor Cooper Kupp would be moving on from Los Angeles.
Nacua posted his reaction on X, saying, “So I thought it was just the NBA trade season.”
So I thought it was just the NBA trade season
— Puka Nacua (@AsapPuka) February 4, 2025
Nacua’s reaction came almost immediately after the Kupp news surfaced on February 3.
The person who broke the news was Kupp himself, also on X.
“I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA,” Kupp wrote.
I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships. I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.
Still, if there’s… pic.twitter.com/XWmbGVscGy
— Cooper Kupp (@CooperKupp) February 4, 2025
Nacua and Kupp have been the wide receivers No. 1 and 2 for the past two seasons in Los Angeles.
With Nacua’s emergence as a rookie, the Rams had a clear top-10 receiving core, almost all thanks to that duo.
Production aside, Kupp had stepped up as Nacua’s mentor in 2023. The two worked with one another with common goals in mind and grew close because of that.
Rams WR Puka Nacua speaks on the rookie experience and expectations heading into year two ⭐#LocalsInTheNFL #RamsHouse #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/oFHMpuLySa
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 21, 2024
With Aaron Donald retired, Cooper Kupp moving on, and Matthew Stafford in the back end of his career, much of the Super Bowl-winning team is no longer in LA.
It’s unclear what direction the franchise is heading in but they still have a top-15 receiver in Nacua to build around.
About Puka Nacua
Before his college career, the Provo, Utah native played high school football at Orem High School. He finished his career with the Tigers as the owner of multiple state records.
After high school, the receiver attended the University of Washington and played a couple of seasons for the Huskies.
After the 2020 season, Nacua returned home to Provo and immediately became a star for the Cougars.
Nacua finished his BYU career with a total of 91 catches for 1,430 yards and 11 touchdowns as well as 39 carries for 357 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Puka, man.
Gotta catch ’em all 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7rsLawwY3S
— NFL (@NFL) January 7, 2024
In April 2023, the Rams selected Nacua with the No. 177 overall pick during the fifth round of the NFL Draft.
Nacua finished his first season as a professional with an NFL rookie record 105 receptions for 1,486 yards. He also scored six touchdowns.
The rookie wideout received NFL All-Pro second-team honors for his play in 2023. He finished as the runner-up to C.J. Stroud for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
About #LocalsInTheNFL
For over five years, KSL Sports has provided coverage on all NFL players with ties to the state of Utah.
Whether they attended Utah or BYU or grew up in the Beehive State, we keep you caught up with how the locals are performing on the highest stage.
From highlights to trades and other breaking news, check out our Locals In The NFL coverage here.
Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on X for Utah Jazz and Locals In The NFL updates.
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