The Atlanta Falcons had a decent defense in 2023, ranking 18th in points, 11th in yards, 7th in yards per play, 8th in passing, and 20th in rushing.
With $37 million in cap space, the team hopes to strengthen its roster heading into the offseason.
They are bringing one of their defensive playmakers back on a 1-year deal.
The Atlanta Falcons re-signed their exclusive rights free agent linebacker.
According to Around the NFL, Atlanta re-signed Nate Landman.
Landman was an exclusive rights free agent, meaning he played less than three years of accrued experience in the NFL. The team can tender him, but that is the only option, and he cannot negotiate with another team unless he gets released.
Also, if the team offers the ERFA a one-year deal, the player can accept the offer or sit out for the season. If the team doesn’t tender the player, they become an unrestricted free agent and can sign with any team.
In short, Landman will be back in Atlanta next season on a one-year, $985,000 deal.
Nate Landman went undrafted in 2022.
Landman went undrafted in the 2022 NFL Draft, and Atlanta signed him as an undrafted free agent.
Landman made the 53-man roster in his rookie season and appeared in seven games, recording one tackle and one QB hit in 5% of defensive snaps. The team released him on December 10 and re-signed to their practice squad. He would sign a reserve/future contract on January 9.
Landman thrived in an extended role in 2023.
Landman started the season as the backup linebacker to Kaden Elliss and Troy Andersen. Landman took over for Andersen when he suffered a season-ending shoulder/pectoral injury in Week 3.
Landman appeared in 16 games and started 14, recording 110 tackles, seven for a loss, four QB hits, two sacks, one interception, three pass deflections, three forced fumbles, a 72.0 PFF Grade, and represented 75% of defensive snaps.
Landman received a glowing review from their new linebacker coach.
Linebackers coach Barrett Ruud gave Landman a glowing review for the way he plays football.
“He’s a natural football player,” Ruud said. “He’s a good tackler – if you can tackle in college, you can tackle in the NFL. He’s got really good instincts and gets to the ball. It was a really good start for him in his NFL career last year.”
Atlanta will have their linebacker for another season.
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