The Los Angeles Rams added some depth to their linebacking core when they signed Nate Landman in free agency last week. A three-year veteran, Landman started 23 games over the past two seasons for the Atlanta Falcons and makes up for the loss of Christian Rozeboom, who left to sign with the Carolina Panthers earlier this month.
But while Landman’s arrival helps the Rams, free agency is a two-way street. The 26-year-old had interest in joining the Rams from the jump and revealed his motive when he was introduced to the media earlier this week.
New Rams Linebacker Nate Landman Calls Free Agent Signing “A Homecoming”
Landman was born in Zimbabwe and actually wears a flag on his helmet to honor his native country. But while he moved to Danville, Calif. shortly after he was born, he explained that his decision to sign with the Rams was “a homecoming.”
“A lot of my friends from high school moved down here and took jobs down here,” Landman explained via SI’s Daniel Flick. “I’m excited to be back on the west coast and see those guys. My parents are a short flight away and all my siblings either live in California or Nevada. It’s just a cool opportunity to spend more time together and kind of enjoy this new chapter.”
Landman’s homecoming could be to the Rams' benefit. He emerged as a starter for the final two years in Atlanta and broke out by collecting 110 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass defenses, three forced fumbles and an interception during the 2023 season. Landman followed up by recording 81 total tackles in 13 games for the Falcons last year with a pass defense and three forced fumbles.
It’s a sign that Landman can be productive in Chris Shula’s scheme as it has a lot of the same principles that Raheem Morris installed when he was the defensive coordinator in Los Angeles. The Rams also hired former Falcons defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake as a senior defensive assistant this offseason, making his decision to join a team that has made the playoffs in six of the past eight seasons easy.
“For me, a lot of things went into it,” Landman said. “One is the success of this program. Two, I’m a West Coast kid. Growing up in California and coming back home was a clear choice. Then, I built a pretty strong relationship last year with Jimmy Lake. All those things combined allowed for an easy decision. Just super excited to be here, grateful for the opportunity and excited to get rolling.”