Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua fined $25,000 for comments on NFL officiating

The NFL has fined Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua $25,000 for public comments criticizing officiating. The news comes according to a report from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

The fine stems from remarks Nacua made about referees during a recent livestream appearance, as well as a since-deleted social media post following Thursday night’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks. In both instances, Nacua took aim at how officials handle high-profile moments during games.

“The refs are the worst,” Nacua said on a livestream with Adin Ross and N3on. “These guys are lawyers. They want to be on TV, too. You don’t think he’s texting his friends in the group chat like, ‘Yo, you just saw me on ‘Sunday Night Football?’ That wasn’t PI, but I called it.’”

Nacua doubled down immediately after the Rams’ 38-37 overtime defeat to Seattle. Just minutes after Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold found tight end Eric Saubert for the game-winning two-point conversion, Nacua posted a critical message on X aimed at the officiating crew.

“Can you say I was wrong,” Nacua wrote in the deleted post. “Appreciate you stripes for your contribution. Lol.”

The frustration appeared to center on a pivotal sequence late in the fourth quarter. Seattle scored a 26-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 30-28 and attempted a two-point conversion to tie the game. Darnold’s pass initially appeared to fall incomplete after deflecting off the helmet of Rams edge rusher Jared Verse.

However, officials ruled the throw was a backward pass, making the ball live. Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet recovered it in the end zone, resulting in a successful conversion that tied the game and forced overtime.

Seattle ultimately capitalized on that momentum. It led to the Seahawks winning the NFC West matchup in overtime and dealing the Rams a costly divisional loss.

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Despite the controversial finish, Nacua delivered one of the most productive performances of his young career. The star receiver caught 12 passes for a career-high 225 yards and two touchdowns, repeatedly torching Seattle’s secondary and keeping Los Angeles within striking distance throughout the night.

The NFL has long enforced strict rules regarding public criticism of officials, and Nacua’s comments, particularly those suggesting intent or self-promotion, crossed that line in the league’s view. While the fine brings a financial penalty, it also serves as a reminder of the boundaries players are expected to respect when addressing officiating decisions publicly.

For Nacua, the focus now shifts back to the field, where his performance continues to affirm his status as one of the league’s most dynamic young receivers. Even as emotions boiled over after a dramatic and controversial loss.

— On3’s Nick Geddes contributed to this article.