Landman is still a bargain for the Rams at $7.5 million per year, a great move by Los Angeles
Nate Landman was by no means a splashy signing by the Los Angeles Rams this offseason. Though he had been a starter for the Atlanta Falcons in the past two years, he was still a relative unknown to most people in free agency.
The Rams took a shot on him – a safe, calculated shot – and it’s paid off in a big way for both parties.
On Saturday, the Rams signed Landman to a three-year, $22.5 million extension with $15.6 million guaranteed. This deal comes eight months after the Rams inked Landman to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum of $1.1 million with $75,000 guaranteed.
Landman has exceeded all expectations with Los Angeles, being voted a team captain in his first season and also earning the role as the defense’s signal caller. And through 10 games, he’s forced four fumbles (per PFF), only missed seven tackles and has the eighth-best defensive grade of any inside linebacker in the NFL.
He’s a big reason the Rams defense ranks second in points allowed per game (17.2) and sixth in yards per carry allowed (3.9). And the Rams are wisely rewarding him early by signing him to a long-term extension before he can reach free agency again in March.
This deal is a win-win for both sides. Landman earned himself a huge raise by playing exceptionally well in his first 10 games with the Rams, and Los Angeles has found it’s starting middle linebacker for at least a few more years – a position that’s been a trouble spot for them under Sean McVay.
They didn’t break the bank to keep Landman in L.A., either. According to Over The Cap, Landman’s average salary of $7.5 million per year is tied for 25th among all inside linebackers. Landman is unquestionably better than the 25th-best linebacker in the league, making it a bargain for Los Angeles.
It’s even cheaper than the contract Ernest Jones signed with the Seahawks, which pays him $28.5 million for three years, an average of $9.5 million.
If Landman continues to play the way he has this season, he’s going to be an even bigger bargain in a couple of years. He’s been one of the best linebackers in football and has proved to be more than just a run stuffer. He’s solid in coverage and when ball carriers get in space, he attacks the ball with his punch-outs.
It’s hard to see this contract being a bad one for the Rams three years from now. Landman is still only 27 years old, is a valuable leader and seems to keep getting better. It was smart of Los Angeles to get him locked up now before his price went up in March.