Andrew Whitworth is passing the torch at left tackle this year after announcing his retirement from the NFL. The Rams didn’t have to look very long or far for his replacement, simply re-signing Joe Noteboom to a three-year deal.
Though Whitworth isn’t on the roster anymore, he remains close to the team and its players – specifically the offensive linemen.
Whitworth often has the Rams’ big men over to his house for workouts in his garage, which players call “The Dojo.” It was a routine they started when Whitworth turned his garage into a workout room during the pandemic, helping keep himself and his teammates in shape.
Entering the 2022 season, Noteboom still goes to Whitworth’s house to work out “all the time.” And Whitworth loves grinding with him in the gym, anticipating a strong year from the young lineman.
“The O-line still comes over here and trains with me at my place and so it’s fun to be with those guys and see what they’re up to,” Whitworth said on The Volume’s “3 & Out” podcast. “I’m not gonna lie, there’s some days you get in there with them and you’re getting after it and you get that feeling of what it was like being in the locker room and being around the guys and grinding towards a goal. It’s definitely a special environment. I don’t think that really changes whether you’re playing or not. Once you’ve experienced it, you’ll always miss that a little bit. But it’s fun to see them kind of in that mode of taking that next step. Joseph Noteboom is one of those guys, and he’s gonna replace me there with the Rams. He’s here all the time at my place training and it’s fun to watch him grind and he’s chasing his dream and what he’s looking forward to doing. Couldn’t be happier to support him and can’t wait to watch him do his thing.”
Noteboom has had the chance to learn from Whitworth for the last four years since joining the Rams as a third-round pick in 2018. He probably anticipated taking over the left tackle spot earlier than this year, but when Whitworth’s been out, Noteboom has done an excellent job filling in.
The Rams hope that continues on a full-time basis this season and next, which is why they gave him an extension to remain on the roster – and a raise to $13.3 million per year.