For the first time in two seasons, the Los Angele Rams are getting an early start to the offseason by meeting up at the facilities to clean out their lockers after finishing at 9-7 and missing the postseason.
Among the biggest questions now facing the Rams is whether or not this will be the last time left tackle Andrew Whitworth will have to carry out such a somber task. It is no secret that the team is on the cusp of making some significant changes following a disappointing 2019 NFL season and it remains to be seen if Whitworth is part of the picture moving forward.
The 38-year-old is set to become a free agent this offseason and appears to be set on giving it another shot. It seems he is hoping it is in Los Angeles.
Whitworth says that the Rams will be at the top of his list when it comes to free agency, via Gary Klein of the L.A. Times:
“Hopefully, the opportunity will be here,” Whitworth said as Rams players cleaned out their lockers at the team’s Thousand Oaks facility. “Obviously, anytime you’re a free agent, you’ve got to listen to everything and figure out what’s best for you.
“But of course, for me and my family, being a Ram would be No. 1, without question.”
Whitworth added that both sides will still need to find much more clarity in the current situation before coming to a decision:
“You let all that play out and just figure out where everything is,” he said. “For everyone else you have to speculate. For me, I know the product. I know what I bring and they do, too, so it’s just us finding common ground.”
Whitworth’s comments made it clear that he would like to retire as a Ram if possible. The onus will now fall on the front office to decide whether or not it is in the books for a team that may be experiencing quite an overhaul this offseason.
Whitworth’s desire to remain in Los Angeles is certainly understandable. Although he fell short of his quest for a Super Bowl ring, it was the first time in his illustrious career that he had even gotten that close. He also racked up the individual honors to go with it as a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro.
Given the current state of the offensive line, losing a stabilizing factor like Whitworth would undoubtedly deal a crushing blow to Los Angeles. Another team might recognize the impact he could have on their line and throw a big contract his way though, so the Rams may have to prepare for that possibility.
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