Andrew Whitworth intends to play in 2020: 'We'll see if it works out'

[Riverumbbq]

Cameron DaSilva

5 hours ago
Andrew Whitworth is the oldest offensive lineman in the NFL, and if all goes according to plan, he’ll keep that title in 2020. He’s in the final year of his contract with the Rams but he wants to continue playing next season.
Whether that’s with the Rams or not remains to be seen, but his intention is to return to the field next season.


Michael Silver :
After last night's game, @RamsNFL LT Andrew Whitworth, who recently turned 38, told me he hopes to keep playing in 2020: "My intention is to play football. We'll see if it works out." @AroundTheNFL @nflnetwork

Whitworth, 38, has spent the last three seasons with the Rams after beginning his career with the Bengals. Although he struggled to begin this season, he’s turned it around and played at a high level recently.
He made the Pro Bowl in 2017 with the Rams and was a first-team All-Pro that year, but he hasn’t made either squad since. If Whitworth retires or doesn’t return to Los Angeles in 2020, it’ll leave a gaping hole at left tackle for the Rams, which Joseph Noteboom will have a chance to fill.

Andrew Whitworth intends to play in 2020: 'We'll see if it works out'

Andrew Whitworth intends to return to the field next season, though his contract is set to expire.

theramswire.usatoday.com

 

[hotanez]

hope he comes back for one more season, Notboom might not be ready till midseason

 

[Riverumbbq]

Bring him back. Our OT's are quite questionable at the moment, Whitworth offers some stability while we are in transition. Just don't overprice yourself Big Man.

 

[OldSchool]

He made a comment on the Rich Eisen show the past week about how great would it be to come out of the tunnel for the first game in the new stadium. I think he'll be back for a year more before he hangs em up. Still might draft another OT who can the following year compete with Noteboom to replace him.

 

[gabriel18]

Not sure if that's a good or bad thing . He didn't have a great year IMO

 

[Merlin]

He made a comment on the Rich Eisen show the past week about how great would it be to come out of the tunnel for the first game in the new stadium. I think he'll be back for a year more before he hangs em up. Still might draft another OT who can the following year compete with Noteboom to replace him.

I hope that allure of the new stadium is enough to get him to come back on the cheap. Because if not, the Rams probably won't be able to bring him back.

Also I am still holding out hope that they bring him in as an asst OL coach. I feel like he's uniquely suited to that job. And we will probably have an opening if Callahan comes in as our new OL coach and run game coordinator.

 

[RamDino]

"We'll see if it works out"... Translation: it depends on how much money they offer me.

 

[jap]

I DO believe Andrew wants a SuperBowl victory before he hangs up his cleats.

 

[Reddog99]

I'd like Whit to come back next year but like Merlin I'm hoping he eventually joins the coaching staff. The guy fits in perfect for what Mcvay is trying to do.

 

[Dodgersrf]

We need him more than he needs us.

It will buy us another year to fill that position.

 

[oldnotdead]

He's too expensive and his age was showing when facing top competition. The last few games showed he's done. If he wants to be an assistant o-line coach then that might be worth considering. So yeah I'm with Merlin on the coaching, but a strong no as a player.

 

[Dodgersrf]

He's too expensive and his age was showing when facing top competition. The last few games showed he's done. If he wants to be an assistant o-line coach then that might be worth considering. So yeah I'm with Merlin on the coaching, but a strong no as a player.

Who replaces him?

If we get Whit back, we can focus on the Center position and D line help for AD.

Having Whit back for 1 last season is one more hole we dont have to fill in FA. I dont even want to talk about drafting a LT and starting him as a rookie. Not with the youth we already have with this group of o linemen.
I honestly dont want a rookie Center starting either.
I think having a mix of solid veterans in a position group always yields the best results. Going too young in a position group leads to too many mistakes, as we saw this year.
Plus. I think we can get Whit for a bargain if he is serious about returning.

 

[Ram65]

Very reasonable contract. Whit had a hard offseason after the SB lose. I think if he rededicates himself for one more go he can be at least average which is better than what the Rams alternatives until Noteboom is healthy. Even when Noteboom is healthy he still is untested at LT outside of a few plays last year. Whit and his family are settled in SoCal for a few years so I don't see him wanting to play elsewhere for one more year.

 

[MadGoat]

Not sure if that's a good or bad thing . He didn't have a great year IMO

He definitely didn't have a great year, but he easily justified his salary. Even a serviceable LT in the NFL is worth a lot and that's about what he seems to be at this point.

The Rams can free up some cap space with some roster and contract moves, and I think Whit still makes the most sense, even if his play is declining.

 

[Jacobarch]

Not sure if that's a good or bad thing . He didn't have a great year IMO

Agreed, he had an average season on a bad oline. He'll be another year older next year and his play will continue to decline. I wouldn't mind bringing him back as long as he knew his time might be limited depending on his competition.

 

[fearsomefour]

Not sure if that's a good or bad thing . He didn't have a great year IMO

Lack of options makes it a good thing.

 

[fearsomefour]

Come back....at a reduced rate.

 

[RamWoodie]

I'm good with it. Help a young OLine get seasoned and savvy!

 

[dieterbrock]

"We'll see if it works out"... Translation: it depends on how much money they offer me.

Yup
Last shot $$, get what he can get

 

[OntarioRam]

I don't know where people get the idea that Whitworth is done from. I thought he played great this season. He took a step back from last year, and in particular took more penalties, but I am not sure how much of that is even attributable to age vs playing next to a new LG every few weeks (and often a below average and inexperienced one at that) instead of a Pro Bowl vet like Saffold who had continuity with Whit. Big Whit had to cover for a lot this year. He is still playing at a high level in my opinion - easily in the top half of LTs in the NFL - and those cost money. I do think his contract ought to be for less this time around. He isn't quite the same player as when he arrived here. But those thinking that we can get him on the cheap are dreaming. I expect many teams will want his service on a short term deal if and when he hits the open market, and that many will be willing to pay handsomely for it.