Why Puka Nacua was Matthew Stafford's safety net in 2025

When opposing defensive coordinators decide to bring extra pressure against the Los Angeles Rams, they think they are putting quarterback Matthew Stafford in a bind. In reality, they are usually just delivering the football right into the hands of Puka Nacua.

In 2025, Nacua has established himself as the premier blitz-buster in the NFL. According to Kyle Borgognoni of The Fantasy Footballers, Nacua averaged a league-high 37.0% targets per route run (TPRR) when Stafford was blitzed over 16 games together (Nacua missed one with an injury). That number far surpassed others high on the like like Keenan Allen (33.3%), Nico Collins (33.0%) and 2025 Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba (32.3%).

League leaders in TPRR when their QB was blitzed (min. 75 routes run) pic.twitter.com/I0ljtVsEh7

, Kyle Borgognoni (@kyle_borg) June 24, 2026

This shouldn't be terribly surprising, though, given a few other key stats. Nacua finished fourth in total targets, first in total receptions and second in receiving yards. He also led all NFL wide receivers in total Expected Points Added (EPA) on targets during the 2025 season, accumulating a staggering 112.3 EPA.

Additionally, Stafford was typically surgical against the blitz anyway. He had some of the best numbers while under pressure in 2025 on his way to winning MVP with a league-leading 4,707 passing yards and 46 passing touchdowns despite being blitzed the fourth-most times in the league (159).

This is a testament not just to the chemistry between Stafford and Nacua, but also to how Nacua can get open in the most dire of circumstances. It also proves how effective Sean McVay's offense is in getting good players in positions to make plays no matter what a defense accomplishes.

More than likely, this type of play will continue in 2026 if both Nacua and Stafford remain healthy and on the field together.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Why Puka Nacua was Matthew Stafford's safety net in 2025