The Rams moved to keep one of their core players with them for the future, signing safety Quentin Lake to a three-year contract extension, the team announced Thursday.
The deal includes $25.7 million in guarantees, said a person with knowledge of the situation who requested anonymity because the terms were not announced.
“I’m so thankful to be part of such an amazing organization and I can’t wait to see you guys in the playoffs and for many years to come,” Lake said in a video posted to social media.
Lake said discussions about an extension began after last season.
“I think the coolest thing about it was seeing the reaction from my teammates,” Lake said. “And when you have people yelling and screaming coming up and saying, ‘well-deserved’ it makes you feel good. I’m just very, very thankful to be a part of such a great organization.”
Lake is the second defensive player to receive an extension this season, joining linebacker Nate Landman, who in November signed a three-year deal that includes more than $15 million in guarantees.
Lake, a 2022 sixth-round draft pick from UCLA, was in the final year of his rookie contract. He has been sidelined for six games because of an elbow injury he suffered against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 16. He required surgery and landed on injured reserve, but his window to return to the roster is expected to be opened Thursday.
Lake has been a team captain for the last two seasons, and is a key player for a Rams team that is 11-5 entering Sunday’s season finale against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.
Lake has played in 10 games this season and has one interception. Last season, he was on track to take every defensive snap until coaches decided to rest starters for the playoffs.
The decision to extend Lake is a departure for an organization that during coach Sean McVay’s tenure has typically opted not to sign drafted safeties to extensions.
This story originally appeared on LA Times
