The St. Louis Rams announced they've reached a five-year contract extension with middle linebacker James Laurinaitis on Saturday.
The five-year contract extension is worth $41.5 million, a team source told NFL.com and NFL Network reporter Albert Breer. Laurinaitis' deal, which will keep him under contract through the 2017 season, is worth a total of $42.2 million, of which approximately $23 million is guaranteed, the source told Breer.
A 2009 second-round draft pick (No. 35 overall) out of Ohio State, Laurinaitis has 376 tackles, eight sacks, five interceptions and 17 passes defensed over his first three seasons in the NFL. Laurinaitis has started all 48 games during his career and, according to official playing-time documents, has missed just three snaps over that span.
Between the signings of Laurinaitis, who was voted team captain earlier this week, and defensive end Chris Long, the Rams have locked up the core of their defense through the 2016 season.
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