Andrew Whitworth continues to defy odds with elite play at 38 years old

The Rams left tackle has been one of the best players at his position this season.

Andrew Whitworth has been at the center of the Rams’ rebuild since L.A. signed him as a free agent in 2017. He was outstanding in his first three years with the team, but there was a chance his time in Los Angeles would come to an end this offseason with his contract expiring.

Not only did the Rams opt to keep him around, but they gave him a three-year extension – an unprecedented move for a 38-year-old offensive tackle. Yet, he’s continued to defy the odds and has played as well as the Rams could’ve hoped in the first four games of the season.

He’s been one of the best offensive tackles in football thus far, earning an overall grade of 88.9 with no sacks allowed and 268 snaps played. He’s been rock solid on the left side of the Rams’ offensive line, hardly ever allowing pressure on Jared Goff.

Once again, he was the Rams’ highest-graded offensive player in Week 4, with a mark of 73.5. Entering Sunday’s game, he was PFF’s No. 2 offensive tackle this season.

During a media session on Monday, Whitworth said he feels as good as he ever has. It’s a testament to the work he put in this offseason – in his garage during the pandemic, nonetheless – and how he’s continued to trim weight as his career has gone on.

The Rams are reaping the benefits of his consistent play, allowing them to put off the urgent search for a starting right tackle for at least a couple more years.

With the way Whitworth’s contract is structured, the Rams could move on from him next year without much penalty. Or, he could choose to retire at the age of 39 and call it a career – a very good career, too.

But if he can continue to play the way he has this season for another year or two, Los Angeles will gladly take it. He’s the oldest offensive lineman in the league, but you’d never know that by watching him play or examining his stats.