Linebacker Nate Landman leads the Rams with 91 tackles so far this season. Ronald Martinez / Getty Images
The Los Angeles Rams agreed to an extension with linebacker Nate Landman, his agency announced Saturday.
Landman, 27, has recorded 91 tackles, four forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks so far this season. Landman, an undrafted free agent out of Colorado, spent the first three years of his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons before joining the Rams on a one-year deal for the league minimum, but he needed next to no time to make his imprint on the locker room. Rams players voted him a captain in his first year with the team.
When the games arrived, it became clear the Rams landed someone with more than just a big voice, too. Landman quickly fixed a run defense that was gashed by Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to end last season. This year, the Rams did not allow a run of more than 13 yards until Week 11. They now are tied for fourth in the league with 3.9 yards per carry allowed, thanks in large part to Landman.
Where Landman has made his biggest mark on the field is in takeaways. He has used the “peanut punch” to force four fumbles in his first 10 games, fitting the identity of a Rams defense that lives to create splash plays.
With captain Quentin Lake on injured reserve for likely the rest of the regular season, the Rams are looking to Landman to be their voice. And now the front office is showing they believe in it, too.
“He has great emotional intelligence,” coach Sean McVay said of Landman. “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.”
Nov 22, 2025
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