Rams A.J. Brown trade rumors heat up with concerns growing around Puka Nacua

The Los Angeles Rams find themselves at the center of multiple high-profile wide receiver conversations this offseason with trade buzz, internal uncertainty and lingering free-agent speculation all converging around Sean McVay’s high-powered offense.The biggest storyline continues to swirl around Philadelphia Eagles star A.J.Brown, as NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo reported the Rams were actually closer than most realized to landing the All-Pro receiver earlier in the offseason.“That was really close,” Garafolo said on “The Rich Eisen Show.” “It was closer than it got with the Patriots.”Garafolo added that at one point, a deal even looked ready to come together before ultimately stalling due to what he described as “too many moving parts.” But Garofolo went on to say he “wouldn’t be surprised” if Los Angeles re-engages in talks once again.A part of Garafolo’s reasoning revolves around one of the Rams biggest stars.

“Look, we don’t know what’s happening with Puka Nacua this offseason, and you hope for the best for him,” Garofolo said.“But that certainly might be a factor at play here because you don’t know — can you rely on him? We don’t know what’s happening off the field with him.” Nacua’s offseason has unquestionably added some uncertainty to the Rams’ receiver outlook heading into 2026, both because of off-field scrutiny and his looming contract situation.

Earlier this spring, Nacua checked into a rehab facility following allegations he bit a woman while intoxicated on New Year’s Eve.This capped a bizarre run of dubious actions which included appearing on a livestream with controversial influencer Adin Ross, where he made an antisemitic gesture, challenged the motives of NFL officials and questioned the legitimacy of concussions.Compounding the uncertainty is Nacua’s contract status.The breakout star is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is now eligible for a major extension that could place ...