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The Los Angeles Rams were busy on Wednesday, making a handful of moves to retain their own free agents and bring in a pair of players from other teams. One of the most important was the re-signing of Andrew Whitworth, who got a three-year deal from the Rams.
With Whitworth being 38 years old, it seems odd to give him a three-year contract. However, the structure of it adds some clarity to the signing and reveals that it doesn’t necessarily tie the Rams to their left tackle for the next three years.
Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle has the details, revealing that it’s essentially a one-year deal with $12.5 million guaranteed, allowing the Rams to get out of it after the 2020 season. It also allows Whitworth to bring in some money in 2021, even if he decides to retire.
Andrew Whitworth (Rams), three years, $30M, $12.5M gtd, $5M signing bonus, salaries $5M (gtd), $7M, $7.5M; $2.5M third day 2021 roster bonus gtd for inj at signing, fully gtd five days after deal executed, $3M 3rd day 2022 roster bonus,
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 19, 2020
With base salaries of $5 million, $7 million and $7.5 million, it’s a good deal for the Rams – even if it seems like they overpaid by giving him a contract worth up to $37.5 million. It’s unlikely he earns that much unless he plays out all three years and triggers all of his annual incentives of $1.5 million.
Andrew Whitworth has 2022 option bonus to be exercised before 6th day prior to start of lg year, $1.5M incentive annual, $1.5M 2021-22 base escalator
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 19, 2020
The Rams, being the creatives that they are, put an unusual option bonus in his contract, too, according to Ian Rapoport. He was on NFL Network Thursday and explained Whitworth’s contract, saying that he has a $77 bonus added in, as a tribute to his jersey number.
“He gets $12.5 million, fully guaranteed, which means $2.5 million fully guaranteed comes not this year, but next year,” Rapoport said. “So whether he plays or not, he still gets more than $2 million. Plus, because the Rams are weird and quirky, he gets a $77 option bonus. Not $77,000, not $7,700. $77, because that’s his jersey number.”
Rapoport also reported that for Whitworth, “his options were retirement or play only for the Rams.” The veteran left tackle made it clear that he wanted to return to the Rams early in the offseason, and Sean McVay wanted him back, too, which made this an obvious signing for Los Angeles.
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