As with the NFL Honors, I believe Offensive Player of the Year has become a non-quarterback award because MVP has become exclusive to quarterbacks. Until that changes, I'm going with it.
Therefore, even though you all know where we're going next, it's time to give Nacua his flowers, and I'll use many of the same talking points that should have put him over the top of Jaxon Smith-Njigba (and Christian McCaffrey) in the league-wide race.
If all we were allowed to consider was the passing game – who had the best receiving season? – I would have voted for Nacua.
In 2025, he earned the highest single-game and season-long offensive grade PFF has ever given a receiver. In terms of EPA, he was generationally great. Volume and efficiency were both off the charts. The ratio of contested catches to drops was immaculate. He saved his best for last, including a career night in prime time against the best defense in football in Seattle. Man, zone, full route tree, red zone, unlocking the end zone, he did it all this year.
And even though that's plenty, Puka also has a pair of aces in the hole.
There may not be a better blocker in the sport at his position. And even if there were, certainly none of them are as integral to their offense as Nacua is to his. So much of the Rams' playbook is built around his viability as a blocker.
Even after the scheme is deployed, Nacua continues to thrive without the ball in his hands. Think back to that night in Chicago, when he snow-plowed pathways for Colby Parkinson and others.
His second leg-up on the competition are his contributions to the running game when he's actually got the rock. His first score of 2025 was a career-best 45-yard house call in Nashville. Including playoffs, he rushed for more than eight yards per carry, two touchdowns, and seven first downs.