Los Angeles Rams' Puka Nacua on Cooper Kupp: 'Best Route-Runner Of All Time'?

Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua recounts how Cooper Kupp was instrumental in helping him adapt to the NFL game.

By Jon Alfano

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) celebrates
Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) celebrates / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

If the Los Angeles Rams' receiver duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua is not the best in the NFL, it is certainly near the top of the list.

Kupp, 30, has been around for a while, and he put together arguably the greatest season for a receiver ever in 2021 as he led the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. He also won Offensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP that same year.

For as good as Kupp is, he has struggled with staying healthy the past two seasons, so it's a good thing the Rams pulled another star receiver out of their hat in Nacua. The fifth-round pick out of BYU took the league by storm in his debut season, setting rookie records for receptions and receiving yards.

Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) celebrates
Dec 10, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) celebrates / Jessica Rapfogel-USA TODAY Sports

The Rams had to wait a bit to see their new receiver duo in action, as Kupp missed the first four games of the season with an injury. Kupp made good use of that time away, though, as he took Nacua under his wing and helped him find his footing in the NFL.

Looking back on that time, Nacua feels privliedged to have learned from one of the game's very best.

"He's the man, one of the best route runners of all time like a student of the game," Nacua said of Kupp on The Rush with Maxx Crosby.

After a stellar first season of Nacua and Kupp working together, the Rams' superstar duo will look to carry that success into 2024.