SAN JOSE — Cooper Kupp has seen firsthand the talent Puka Nacua brings to the field for two years, when the two were teammates with the Los Angeles Rams.
Even though Kupp signed with the Seattle Seahawks last offseason after eight years with the Rams, he’s still maintaining the status of former BYU and Orem High School star wide receiver Nacua as one of the NFL’s top young receivers.
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After a breakout third season in the league, Nacua is one of five finalists for The Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, along with Kupp’s current teammate, receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
The winner will be announced Thursday during the NFL Honors (7 p.m. MST, NBC, NFL Network) — with Smith-Ngiba the favorite and Nakua ranked second in the latest odds.
This doesn’t take away from Nacua’s dominance heading into the 2025 season. He leads the NFL with 129 catches while setting career highs in receiving yards (1,715) and receiving touchdowns (10).
Kupp said Nakua is in the same physical shape as he is this year, but what’s especially impressive is the number of tough catches he’s made this season.
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According to Pro Football Focus, Nacua leads the NFL with 27 contested catches, the highest number in more than two decades of PFF statistics.
“I don’t know what he’s doing with the glove — he’s got the ball stuck somehow, slamming down on that thing. I’m not sure what he’s been doing. So he’s done some unbelievable things,” Kupp told the Deseret News on Wednesday ahead of Super Bowl X, where Seattle will face the New England Patriots this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium.
“Puka is the same in terms of his physicality, his willingness to get in the middle and his movement after the catch. He’s been doing really well this year and just making really tough catches.”
Smith-Ngiba finished the year ahead of Nakua in receiving yards, recording a league-high 1,793 yards on the year while adding 119 catches and 10 receiving touchdowns.
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Smith-Ngiba ended up with the eighth-highest single-season reception total in NFL history, while Nakua’s 2025 reception total ranks 14th in league history.
Kupp is a specialist in great seasons — he was the last NFL player to win a Triple Crown, and he led the league in catches, receiving yards and touchdowns during the 2021 season. His 1,947 receiving yards that year ranked second all-time.
However, the 32-year-old praised Nakua and Smith-Njiba for their performances that have made them both contenders for one of the NFL’s top offensive honors this season.
“I’m very close with both of them, like friends and teammates. They were both great players before I even met them,” Kupp said. “They’re outstanding in their own right. It’s great to see these guys being recognized for putting together a very special season.”
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) and Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10) chat after an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, in Inglewood, California. Kong Guicheng
