Puka Nacua’s rookie season could be historic: Rams receiver is on the verge of breaking an age-old record

Puka Nacua is playing an extraordinary season. It could even be historic.

The Los Angeles Rams wide receiver is on the verge of breaking an age-old NFL record.

Before the last game of the regular season, Nacua has 1,445 receiving yards. Bill Groman has held the record for most receiving yards in a rookie season since 1960 (!).

Back then, Groman caught passes for 1,473 yards for the Houston Oilers, with whom he also won the American Football League (AFL) title at the time.

For Nacua, this means that he only needs 29 yards at the end of the regular season with the San Francisco 49ers to break the record after 63 years.

According to his average of 90.3 yards per game, this should be achievable. The predictions therefore forecast a result of 1,535 yards. What’s more, the 49ers are already in first place in the NFC.

Either way, the 22-year-old joins a list of illustrious names. They have all failed to break Groman’s record in recent years.

Illustrious names behind Groman

Behind Groman are Ja’Marr Chase (1,455 yards in 2021), Nacua, Justin Jefferson (1,400 yards in 2020), Anquan Boldin (1,377 yards in 2003), Randy Moss (1,313 yards in 1998) and Odell Beckham Jr. (1,305 yards in 2014).

Statistics or not, the Rams’ interim goal was the playoffs, and the team reached them in Week 17. The Rams now want to go one better in the postseason – also thanks to Pacua. Which is why it is not entirely out of the question that Nacua will get a break from coach Sean McVay. But perhaps only after 29 receiving yards