Rams sign Landman to a three-year extension

It did not take long for linebacker Nate Landman to establish himself as a key player for the Rams.

- STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

LINEBACKER Nate Landman has emerged as the Rams' defensive leader in his first season with the team.

(KYUSUNG GONG Associated Press)

A few months after he signed a one-year veteran minimum contract, teammates voted him a captain. Landman became the defensive signal-caller and has forced numerous turnovers for a Rams team that is 8-2 and a Super Bowl contender.

On Saturday, the Rams moved to keep Landman in the fold for the future, signing him to a three-year contract extension, the team announced.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed but it includes more than $15 million in guarantees, said the person with knowledge of the situation, who requested anonymity because the contract has not been posted.

Landman, 27, is a fourth-year pro who played in college at Colorado and signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent. Landman has made a team-best 91 tackles for the Rams, including a team-record 17 in a victory over the Baltimore Ravens. He also has forced four fumbles.

—Gary KLEIN