Puka Nacua was already in the process of changing his number from 17 to 12 when Davante Adams signed with the Los Angeles Rams.
“Yeah, I had already planned to make the switch over to number 12. It was perfect timing,” Nacua said last week.
Nacua is more than happy to wear No. 12, as Adams will continue to don No. 17. The seamless transition epitomizes Adams’ fit early on with the Rams.
“It’s been exactly what I’ve needed. I’m feeling rejuvenated,” Adams said Tuesday. “It feels like I’ve been on this team for a couple years now based on how open and receptive the guys have been to me.”
The Rams are Adams’ third team in two seasons and fourth overall. Adams noted the atmosphere already feels a lot different on the Rams following a bitter breakup with the Raiders and a disappointing finish as a member of the Jets.
“It feels like a college-type of camaraderie. I don’t think I’ve seen a linebacker and a punter talking as much as I have since I’ve been here, or the kicker and quarterbacks, or whoever it is. There’s just so much crossover. “Adams said. “I feel like this is what I needed just based off the vibe and the aura of the building. Everybody’s in a good mood. It’s not like a dark cloud over the building, and I’ve experienced that quite a bit over the last few years. So, it’s a glaring difference when you come into a building like this.’
The quarterback and wide receiver connection is important on all teams, but particularly for Adams. Adams has been close with his starting quarterback for most of his career. The wideout played with Aaron Rodgers for eight seasons in Green Bay before he reunited with his college teammate Derek Carr with the Raiders. Carr signed with the Saints in 2023 after being released by the Raiders. Adams became disgruntled in Las Vegas, was traded during the 2024 season and rejoined his friend Rodgers with the Jets.
The relationship between Adams and Matthew Stafford has grown since the wide receiver joined the Rams in March and continues to develop.
“It’s always a work in progress. We’re always talking out there, which is a lot of fun. A guy that’s a veteran player, has played a lot of football, and had a lot of success, so it’s fun just trying to communicate as much as I can with him,” Stafford said. “It’s fun to work with guys that understand the game and still have a lot left in the tank. So, it was good.”
The connection between Adams and Stafford on and off the field could determine whether the Rams can repeat as NFC West champions and be a legitimate contender. Stafford’s already built chemistry with Nacua and had a well-documented rapport with Cooper Kupp that helped the franchise win Super Bowl 56. The Rams essentially replaced Kupp, who’s battled injuries since the Super Bowl-winning season, with Adams.
Adams is one of best wide receivers of his era. He’s produced five straight 1,000-yard seasons, tied for the second-longest active streak in the NFL. Additionally, he’s one of four players in NFL history to record 100-or-more receptions and 1,000-or-more yards in four consecutive seasons (2019-22) and is the only player in NFL history to tally three seasons of at least 110 receptions, 1,350 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Adams averaged over three yards of separation last season. He’s 32 years old and is entering his 12th season, but he’s shown he’s got plenty of Pro Bowl-level football in front of him. And the onboarding process thus far is going as seamless as obtaining his No. 17 jersey number.
“We’ve got a really good quarterback in here. You’ve got a really good young team that shows a lot of promise and was obviously really close to being able to have a chance at the whole thing last year,” Adams said. “So just knowing how hungry this team is and seeing the work they’re still putting in after having a year like last year—it just kind of confirms that I’m in the right place.’
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
