Despite turning 38 last season, Andrew Whitworth wants to play in 2020. That is good news for the Rams, who have seen the Pro Bowl left tackle become a key component of Sean McVay‘s attack.
McVay wants to bring back Whitworth, who will be entering his 15th season, and sounds optimistic the parties can reach a deal. The Rams have big names anchoring their payroll and the likes of Dante Fowler, Michael Brockers and Cory Littleton looming as UFAs.
“I think we’re pretty confident. I think you feel pretty good about it,” McVay said of bringing back Whitworth, via Rich Hammond of The Athletic (subscription required). “He still played a really high level last year. His impact isn’t exclusive to just playing the left tackle position. He does a lot of really good things in terms of the mentorship that he provides. … He’s a part of the plan and definitely want to try to get him back.”
This would be interesting from an age perspective. No tackle has started a game past his 39th birthday since Ray Brown on the 2004 Redskins. The Rams’ Jackie Slater was the last to be a multi-season regular past that age, starting 15 games between his age-39 and age-40 seasons in the mid-1990s. But for this era, Whitworth would be blazing new territory. But it sounds like the Rams are betting on him to stay effective as he nears 40.
The former Bengals second-round pick started 16 games last season and has not missed a game due to injury since signing with the Rams in 2017. Finishing out his three-year deal worth $33.75MM, the four-time Pro Bowler anchored a Rams offensive line that went through major changes last season. A one- or two-year pact would almost certainly be what the Rams would prefer for Whitworth this time around. As of Thursday, the Rams are projected to hold less than $15MM in cap space.
Come back to Cincy, Whit!