As security Quentin Lake performed by way of a lot of the ultimate yr of his rookie contract, he stated he didn’t fear about whether or not he would come to phrases with the Rams about an extension.
If he took care of enterprise on the sector, every little thing would work out.
On Thursday, that manifestation got here to fruition.
Lake signed a three-year extension that may hold one other pillar of the Rams’ protection in place.
Phrases of the deal weren’t introduced nevertheless it consists of $25.7 million in ensures, stated an individual with data of the state of affairs who requested anonymity as a result of the phrases weren’t introduced.
“I believe the best factor about it was seeing the response from my teammates,” Lake stated. “And when you will have individuals yelling and screaming, arising and saying, ‘well-deserved’ it makes you are feeling good.
“I’m simply very, very grateful to be part of such an excellent group.”
Lake, a 2022 sixth-round draft choose from UCLA, has been a captain for the final two seasons, and he’s a key participant for a group that’s 11-5 getting into Sunday’s season finale towards the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium.
Lake has performed in 10 video games this season and has one interception. He has been sidelined for six video games due to an elbow harm suffered throughout a Nov. 16 recreation towards the Seattle Seahawks, however the Rams on Thursday opened his window to return to the roster from injured reserve.
The plan is for Lake to reacclimate to follow this week, and be able to play within the playoffs.
“I’m forward of schedule,” he stated, including, “I really feel robust and assured.”
Lake, 26, is a “a man who does every little thing proper,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula stated.
“Any time you get guys that do it proper, which might be nice gamers, get rewarded, it’s nice to see,” Shula stated.
Lake is the second defensive participant to obtain an extension this season, becoming a member of linebacker Nate Landman, who in November signed a three-year deal that features greater than $15 million in ensures.
The choice to increase Lake is one thing of a departure for a company that sometimes has not signed drafted safeties to extensions.
However Lake stated discussions about an extension started after final season, when he performed each defensive snap till coaches determined to relaxation starters within the ultimate for the playoffs. He stated there was open communication all through the method.
“I simply needed to be a illustration of a person, a participant, a teammate, a future husband, all that stuff,” he stated. “Simply being particular person, and I believe they noticed that, they honored it, they revered it and that’s one of many the explanation why I’m right here at present.”
The locker room was alive with celebration when gamers came upon about Lake’s extension, edge rusher Jared Verse stated.
Lake’s worth goes past what he does on the sector, Verse stated.
“Outdoors of right here, he’ll textual content individuals in the event that they’re having a tough time, be sure you’re having day,” Verse stated, including, “He’s the primary to congratulate you, he’s the primary one to undergo with you.
“That’s anyone I simply genuinely don’t simply take into account a teammate. That’s anyone that’s genuinely a pal.”
Landman and Lake have been amongst many gamers on protection the Rams will quickly should make choices about probably extending.
Lineman Kobie Turner and edge rusher Byron Younger subsequent season will likely be getting into the final yr of their rookie contracts. That is cornerback Cobie Durant’s ultimate season on his rookie deal.
Verse and Braden Fiske will likely be eligible for extensions after subsequent season.
“It’s good to be round guys that you just’ve labored with, that you just’ve constructed with, that you just sweat blood, sweat and tears out on the sector with, as a result of it’s acquainted,” Lake stated. “And the increasingly more and extra that we will construct this brotherhood connection and communication, I believe it’ll actually elevate all our video games.”
