The 2020 NFL offseason is officially underway. One of the big names that Los Angeles Rams fans will have their eyes on this offseason is left tackle, Andrew Whitworth.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Whitworth is planning to return in 2020 and it is expected for him to return to the Rams.
Good news for the #Rams: Left tackle Andrew Whitworth will put off retirement for another year & is expected to return for 2020, sources say. He had surgery to clean out his ankle, is feeling great, and wants to play at 38. He’s also the team’s best option at LT for next season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2020
Andrew Whitworth is a free agent, and the #Rams and his agents at @_SportsTrust would need to work out a contract. There is confidence it will happen without incident. https://t.co/zvteyn7WZ1
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 4, 2020
Whitworth has been a staple on the Rams offensive line over the last three seasons and was a big reason for the team’s playoff runs. Having him back and having that veteran presence on a young offensive line, certainly won’t hurt.
The Rams ran into a similar situation last offseason when they opted to let John Sullivan and Rodger Saffold walk in free agency in favor of younger faces in Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen.
Due to the changes on the offensive line, the offense and quarterback Jared Goff struggled, making it obvious that the Rams missed Saffold and Sullivan – Whitworth acknowledged this after the season.
The offensive line did find their footing in the second half of the season with the emergence of David Edwards and Bobby Evans, however, after the disaster that was last season on the offensive line, it’s clear that the Rams would like to avoid that again.
As Rapoport mentions, the Rams still need to work out a contract with Whitworth. The Rams’ left tackle is 38 and will turn 39 next season. There isn’t a huge market for aging left tackles, however, last season the Philadelphia Eagles paid 38-year old Jason Peters $8.6M. Whitworth had a cap hit of $16.6M last season and the Rams will be looking to bring him back on a relatively cheaper deal given the team’s low cap space.
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