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Rams WR Puka Nacua entered training camp fresh off a tumultuous year, which saw him land in the headlines for everything from an antisemitic gesture to an allegation that he bit a woman. Nacua ultimately spent time in a rehab facility, and the Rams sent a message by letting the Pro-Bowler enter the final year of his rookie contract without a long-term deal. Ahead of Thursday's season opener, Nacua spoke candidly to Netflix about how he navigated what he calls the "darkest times" of his life. Here's a look at what Nacua had to say. MORE WEEK 1 NFL: - NFL power rankings for Week 1 - NFL Week 1 picks, predictions - NFL Week 1 picks against the spread Puka Nacua opens up about alcohol issues Nacua revealed to Netflix's Elle Duncan that he battled alcohol issues before spending time in a "holistic rehabilitation center" during the offseason. The 25-year-old said he became dependent on alcohol due partly to stress caused by the "change in lifestyle" that came with becoming an NFL star. "Just, I think, some of the change in lifestyle that came unto me, becoming a public figure, the stress of performing at a high level," Nacua said when asked what caused his stress. "And then I recently became a father. My son is 10 months old, and navigating that co-parenting relationship with his mother, I would kind of isolate myself to feel, like, the weight of all the issues and things that I have was stuck on my shoulders and not being willing to ask for help." Puka Nacua opened up about turning to alcohol to cope with the pressures of stardom. — Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) September 10, 2026 “I was always finding different ways to escape… alcohol was definitely a thing for me.” Now, the #Rams WR says he wants to become someone his son can be proud of. (via @NetflixSports) pic.twitter.com/VToMvRw7Ra These struggles manifested into public incidents, including a video that showed Nacua clearly intoxicated in February and an alleged incident in which he bit a woman while celebrating New Year's Eve weeks earlier. MORE: Where is 49ers vs. Rams being played? Nacua said his "avoidant" nature led him to stray from conflict and instead choose alcohol. "I think one, alcohol was definitely a thing for me. Just kind of drowning myself, so that the issues and the stress that I was feeling never had the opportunity to be addressed," Nacua said. Nacua explained that rehab helped him address his underlying struggles, and he turned to journaling as a way to deal with his emotions. As his fourth NFL season plays out, Nacua has every reason to avoid controversy. The Rams star is set to become a free agent in March, though the franchise tag looms as a way to keep him off the open market. Whether or not he does hit free agency, Nacua is in line for a massive contract if he can prove his off-field incidents are behind him.