The Rams' efforts to shore up their run defense last season included signing former Falcons linebacker Nate Landman to a one-year deal.
He outplayed the contract so quickly, the team signed him to a three-year contract extension in November. Landman went on to set career-highs in total tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries by the end of the regular season.
Stats
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Reference except stops, which are courtesy of Pro Football Focus (PFF).
^ team high, *career-high. His two fumble recoveries tied with safety Kam Kinchens for the team lead defensively.
| Season | Game Started | Tackles | Stops | Forced Fumbles | Fumble Recoveries | Passes Defensed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 17* | 132^* | 57 | 4^* | 2^* | 6* |
Emergence: Turnover creation, run stopping and leadership
Landman had already put forced fumbles on tape with six across the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined, but his four in 2025 set a new career high. His punchout against the Texans recovered by defensive end Braden Fiske was a game-clinching play for the Rams in Week 1.
Landman also had a fumble recovery in Week 2 against the Titans and Week 3 against the Eagles.
During the Rams' six-game win streak that spanned the month of October through the first two weeks of November, Landman had a forced fumble in three-consecutive games.
According to PFF, Landman's 73.8 run defense grade tied with the Seahawks' Ernest Jones IV for ninth-highest among linebackers who played at least 80 percent of their team's defensive snaps.
Landman also established himself as a key part of the defense by being voted team captain in his first season with the team, wearing the green dot as Los Angeles' on-field signal caller and primary communicator between defensive coordinator Chris Shula and the rest of the unit. It was a reflection of the way he authentically built relationships with teammates from the moment he arrived last spring.
He'll be in the fold for the foreseeable future as a foundational piece to that unit as a result.
