Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua have had a clear connection since Nacua’s rookie season in 2023. And in 2025, the quarterback-receiver relationship has grown even stronger.
Nacua leads the NFL with 109 targets and is third in receptions and yards through Week 13.
Nevertheless, Nacua is doing a lot of his damage all over the field. His 80.4% catch is also a career-best this season and ranks second among all pass-catchers with at least 75 receptions this season.
As such, it’s no surprise that Stafford and Nacua are among the best quarterback-receiver duos in the NFL. Stafford and Nacua have the third-highest passer rating together, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, at 114.9 through Week 13. That’s behind only the Seattle Seahawks’ combination of Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the Dallas Cowboys’ duo of Dak Prescott and George Pickens. Both Smith-Njigba and Pickens are ahead of Nacua in receiving yards, too (even if you take out Pickens’ Week 14 numbers).
Highest Passer Rating by QB-Receiver Duo@NextGenStats, Minimum 80 Targets
128.4 – Sam Darnold & Jaxon Smith-Njigba
122.2 – Dak Prescott & George Pickens
114.9 – Matthew Stafford & Puka Nacua
114.7 – Dak Prescott & Jake Ferguson https://t.co/IAHoeiT0vH— NFL Researcher (@FrontOfficeNFL) December 3, 2025
Say what you want about Stafford’s end zone targets for Davante Adams, but the Rams offense is made with Nacua catching passes. The third-year receiver has also converted 51 first downs for L.A., which is behind on Pickens and Smith-Njigba.
He is very clearly among the top-three receivers in the NFL in 2025.
That’s why Stafford and Sean McVay trust Nacua so much. He is the fuel that powers the engine that gets the Rams into scoring position. Sadly, that’s when the ball gets turned over to Adams, the tight ends or the running game.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Why Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua are a top-5 QB-WR duo
