Sean McVay isn’t slamming the panic button, but he’s definitely taking out the whiteboard. Coming off a year that exposed weaknesses in the Rams’ depth on offense, especially in the wide receiver group, McVay enters training camp with implied urgency. With a subtle shifts in tone and strategy that imply one thing. Los Angeles can’t keep coming into 2025 the way it limped out of 2024.

“We want to be more versatile,” McVay explained when questioned this offseason about the offense. Versatility doesn’t mean creativity; it means necessity, accommodating injuries, personnel setbacks, and a WR unit that right now leans on potential rather than depth. It means depending heavily on one name: Puka Nacua.

Nacua is no longer the rookie phenomenon. He’s the anchor. He’s coming off a record-setting first season that turned the fifth-round draft pick into a household name. McVay is turning to the 23-year-old WR to lead the Rams’ offense through another tough NFC West schedule.

A couple of days before camp, Nacua hopped on The Insiders podcast and made it plain as day he’s ready to run it back. Updating about his health after last season’s setbacks. “I feel fantastic,” he said with a grin. ”We’re in July now—this is probably the best that I’m going to feel for the rest of the year, so I’m enjoying this time.” That wasn’t optimism, but honesty.

Nacua knows what’s ahead. “You started getting into the training camp, you started hitting all these big guys,” he said. ”I am going to be seeing Nick [Bosa] twice a year. I have to make sure that I feel good from now until February.” That’s no small matchup. Bosa’s been a problem for even elite WRs. That blend of insight and experience accounts for it. Puka isn’t seeking a do-over. He’s preparing for war.

And that journey adds up to something bigger. Nacua didn’t just flash last season — he persevered. He caught 105 passes for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns. He shattered rookie records, developed chemistry with Matthew Stafford, and did it all while recovering from rib and shoulder injuries. “It was a battle last year. Every season is a grinder,” he said. But even amid the wear and tear, he never hit the wall. “I think the Rams staff did a great job keeping me safe because I wanted to be there and play football on Sundays.”

That commitment — to show up week in and week out, battered or not — earned Nacua deep respect in the locker room. And this offseason, the Rams have been careful in managing him. No overload. No unnecessary hits. Just maintenance and readiness.

Still, even with a clean bill of health, Nacua is mindful of what lies ahead — and more importantly, what will be expected of him. The real question now is what comes next. Nacua’s out-of-body rookie season set the bar absurdly high, and now defensive coordinators have film. There will be no more sneak-up Sundays in 2025. From Day 1, he’ll likely face top corners and more complex coverage schemes.

With Kupp’s absence, Nacua may also take on an even larger workload, both outside and in the slot. His versatility is one of Sean McVay’s most dangerous weapons, but deploying him effectively while keeping him healthy will be a crucial balance this season.

Who else can step up? A deeper look at Sean McVay’s WR depth chart

Beyond Nacua, the Rams’ wide receiver group has talent — but also plenty of question marks. The next man up is Tutu Atwell, a true deep threat with blazing speed. But his 2024 season fell flat. After a hot start, his production tailed off, finishing with just 483 yards on 39 catches. Entering a contract year, this is his chance to prove he’s more than just a gadget player.

Rookies and camp invites like Drake Stoops will also be in the mix, but until the pads come on, it’s hard to separate real potential from offseason hype.

The Rams learned the hard way in 2024 what happens when the top tier of the wide receiver room gets banged up. During a critical stretch in the middle of the season, both Nacua and Kupp were less than 100%, and the offense stalled — particularly in the red zone. Even Matthew Stafford’s steady veteran presence couldn’t compensate for the lack of separation and depth at wideout. The playoff loss to the Lions was a perfect example: the Rams moved the ball but failed to convert key possessions into points.

So expect head coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead to monitor camp closely — not just the starters, but those fighting further down the depth chart. Any receiver who consistently wins one-on-ones and contributes on special teams will boost their chances of sticking around. With Stafford healthy, the playbook fully open, and Nacua sharper than ever, this Rams offense has top-10 potential. But health — especially in the receiver room — will be the deciding factor.

For now, the outlook is hopeful. Nacua is healthy. Stafford is in rhythm. McVay is innovating. But the Rams know last season’s mistakes — overreliance on stars, lack of reliable depth — can’t be repeated if they want to make a serious postseason push.

Training camp will reveal which version of the Rams we’re getting in 2025: another fun ride, or a real contender.