The jump from college to the NFL can be a daunting one for young players, particularly wide receivers trying to learn an offense as complex as Sean McVay’s. But for Puka Nacua, having a veteran like Cooper Kupp to guide him makes all the difference.
The two were close last season as the Rams’ top receivers and their relationship has only gotten stronger heading into the 2024 season. They worked out together constantly during the offseason, which will benefit both of them as they attempt to build on what they accomplished last season.
The work started right after the Chiefs beat the 49ers in the Super Bowl in February and has continued ever since.
“Cooper, from the moment of the Super Bowl, we were texting each other during the Super Bowl saying, ‘Hey, Monday you could get a little bit of (a) break, but I expect to see you back Tuesday at 6:00 a.m.,’ Nacua said Saturday. “So, from the moment we watched those guys win the championship, to all the way to where we had to report to camp, we’ve been working and getting better at various different things.”
It’s not just on the field that Kupp helps Nacua, but also off it. Nacua had the highest of praise for Kupp during Saturday’s press conference, giving him credit for the success he’s had thus far in the NFL.
“I have five brothers in my own family, but I feel like Coop’s been the brother that I never knew I had,” Nacua said. “It has been such a big blessing to be able to have somebody who’s been in the L.A. environment for longer than I have and to kind of clear the waters for me and steer me in the right direction… steer me away from the bad things and keep me on the good things. It’s been such a blessing. I love that guy.”
Nacua set the bar extremely high for himself last season when he broke rookie receiving records but he’s put in a ton of work this spring and summer to keep getting better. He worked on his hand-eye coordination and body control, which he feels will only make him even better in Year 2.
“Hand eye coordination by catching a good amount of tennis balls, but then watching it all the way into the catch,” Nacua said. “I trust number nine (Matthew Stafford) with all of my heart and soul, so I know wherever you got to put the ball, I know I can trust it and believe that with all confidence that it’s putting me in the right direction. Sometimes I have a bad habit of popping my head. Coach (Eric Yarber) says knowing that Matthew’s going to hit me right in the center of the chest, but then try to look out for where the defenders are. Try to make sure I watch it all the way into my gloves and snag that ball (to) protect it.”
