Rams Extend LB Nate Landman for 3 Years, $22.5M

The Los Angeles Rams secured a key piece of their resurgent defense Saturday by agreeing to a three-year contract extension with linebacker Nate Landman worth $22.5 million, including $15.6 million guaranteed. The deal, announced by the team, rewards the 27-year-old's breakout performance in his first season with Los Angeles and ensures his presence through the 2027 campaign.

Landman, who joined the Rams this offseason on a one-year veteran minimum contract of $1.1 million, has quickly become indispensable. An undrafted free agent out of the University of Colorado, he spent his first three NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, starting 23 games and forcing six fumbles over his final two years there. After shoulder surgery limited his free agency options last winter, Landman signed with Los Angeles at the recommendation of senior defensive analyst Jimmy Lake, who had worked with him in Atlanta.

In 10 starts this season, Landman has led the Rams with 91 tackles, forced a league-high four fumbles, recovered two, and recorded 1.5 sacks. As the defensive signal-caller wearing the green dot, he has anchored an interior linebacker group that the Rams have traditionally de-emphasized in...