Speaking on the "Join the Lobby" podcast, the 23-year-old star shared that he's already thinking about life beyond football. "I know I want to retire at the age of 30," Nacua said. "I'm 23 right now, I'm going into Year 3 — it wouldn’t even be 10 years. It’d be maybe seven or eight."
He cited Aaron Donald’s early retirement and desire to leave the game on top as major inspiration, adding that he wants to be fully present and active in the lives of the large family he hopes to raise.
Powerful: Rams star 24-year-old WR Puka Nacua says he wants to retire by the age of 30:
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 24, 2025
“I know I want to retire at the age of 30... I think of Aaron Donald; to go out at the top, I think it would be super cool. But also, I want to have a big family. I want to have at least a… pic.twitter.com/YjuyOuUEyq
Nacua’s career has gotten off to a blazing start.
After a record-setting rookie year in 2023 with 105 catches for 1,486 yards and six touchdowns, he followed up with 990 yards and three touchdowns in just 11 games during an injury-plagued sophomore campaign.
Known for his physical playing style and all-out effort on every snap, Nacua acknowledged the toll football takes on the body. “You have shoulder surgery, you have knee surgery, you have ankle. By the time my kids could be 18, I could be barely walking,” he said.
🚨NEWS: #NFL STAR 23-YEAR-OLD PUKA NACUA SAYS HE WANTS TO RETIRE BY 30 YEARS OLD.
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) March 24, 2025
“I know I want to retire at the age of 30... I want to have a big family. I want to have at least a starting five. I need five boys.”
Puka has only made 1.4 million so far…
(jointhelobbypod pod) pic.twitter.com/y3l9w06OcX
Reactions to Nacua’s comments have been mixed. While some admire his maturity and clarity, others, like Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd, questioned the timing and potential consequences of such a statement.
“NFL general managers, they’re not looking for work-life balance,” Cowherd said. “You introduce questions you don’t need to introduce.”
Still, Nacua remains a key part of the Rams' offense and one of the league’s top young talents.
Photo Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
