Puka Nacua is positioned to potentially become the NFL's highest-paid receiver as the Los Angeles  Rams prepare for extension negotiations, general manager Les Snead said Wednesday. The 24-year-old All-Pro earned approximately $1.1 million in 2025 but could command a record-breaking deal.

Nacua ranked first in the NFL with 129 receptions and second with 1,715 receiving yards while scoring 10 touchdowns, according to PFF. He was named the league's top-ranked wide receiver and finished as a finalist for NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Matthew Stafford's contract situation remains the other significant issue facing the franchise. The 37-year-old quarterback is expected to demand substantial compensation if he returns for an 18th season after leading the league in touchdown passes and yards while earning All-Pro honors.

Snead, who signed an extension this week alongside coach Sean McVay, said the team is awaiting Stafford's decision on his future. Stafford turns 38 on Saturday and is a finalist for NFL Most Valuable Player, which will be announced Thursday.

"We're going to let Matthew decide," Snead said during a videoconference with reporters. "I think we've had productive conversations with him, so we're going to give him his space, right, to let's call it, recover, rejuvenate and then determine, 'Hey, do we want to get back on this horse again.'"

Stafford carries a $48.3 million salary-cap number in the final year of his 2022 extension. None of his $16 million base salary is guaranteed, according to Overthecap.com.

The Rams and Stafford agreed last year that his contract would be handled on a year-to-year basis after a training camp impasse. They reached an agreement on March 1, 2025, with both sides hoping for a quicker resolution this time.

"I think all of us want it to be shorter," Snead said regarding the timeline.

Nacua is scheduled to carry a $5.7 million salary-cap number next season but could surpass Ja'Marr Chase's extension with the Cincinnati Bengals. Chase received $109.8 million in guarantees with an average annual salary of $40.3 million last March, according to Overthecap.com.

"He's evolved into one of the best," Snead said of Nacua. "It seems like, 'OK, that's a pretty simple contract because it's pretty self-explanatory where you fall in the ecosystem and the hierarchy.' But there's also so many variables … that go into that, that make it more complex than it would seem on the surface level."

Defensive lineman Kobie Turner, edge rusher Byron Young and offensive lineman Steve Avila are also eligible for extensions from the 2023 draft class. The Rams currently have $48.2 million in cap space after already extending running back Kyren Williams, linebacker Nate Landman and safety Quentin Lake, according to Overthecap.com.

Snead has previously awarded record-breaking extensions to defensive lineman Aaron Donald, running back Todd Gurley and quarterback Jared Goff.