Nate Landman signed with Los Angeles on a veteran minimum deal of $1.1. million. But in just 10 games, the 27-year-old middle linebacker has played his way into a raise.
The Rams and Landman have agreed to a three-year, $22.5 million deal, according to multiple reports Saturday. Landman’s agency confirmed the extension.
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NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Landman, whose 91 total tackles are tied for the sixth most in the NFL, will be guaranteed $15.6 million.
In addition to posting 10 or more total tackles in four games this season, he’s forced four fumbles and logged 1.5 sacks for an 8-2 Rams squad that’s competing for the NFC’s top seed.
After going undrafted out of Colorado in 2022, Landman spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons. He started a combined 23 games over the 2023 and 2024 seasons but was coming off a shoulder surgery when he entered free agency this past offseason.
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He signed with the Rams, who were looking to shore up their run defense after getting gashed by Saquon Barkley in a 28-22 NFC divisional-round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Landman has replaced Christian Rozeboom at middle linebacker. His teammates voted Landman a captain, and he’s wearing the “green dot” for L.A.
“He has great emotional intelligence,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said of Landman, per The Athletic. “He’s a great competitor. I think our guys immediately earned the respect and just the way that he moves. … I think the best part about it is that Nate’s not being anybody other than himself.
“I’ve really enjoyed continuing to get to know him and everything that he’s about. It epitomizes what we want to be about.”
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Landman made an instant impact this season, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week after a 14-9, season-opening win over the Houston Texans. He stacked 10 total tackles and forced a fumble that derailed a potential game-winning Texans drive.
Along with defensive tackle Poona Ford and cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., Landman has proven more valuable than the price the Rams initially paid for his services.
They’re now rewarding him with an extension.