Andrew Whitworth showed incredible toughness and determination this season after suffering a torn MCL and damaged PCL in Week 10 against the Seahawks. For a left tackle approaching 40 years old, it was reasonable to think he may have played his last NFL snap when the injury occurred. But he fought his way back to play in the postseason and is now looking ahead to 2021.
Whitworth has said multiple times recently that he doesn’t see any reason he can’t continue playing next season, the second year of his three-year deal with the Rams. The team can cut him and save some money, however, so his future isn’t completely up to him.
But Rams GM Les Snead made it very clear Tuesday that the team wants Whitworth back. Although there are still some variables, Snead said, Whitworth and the Rams seem on track to continue their partnership.
An example of one of the variables Snead brought up was whether Whitworth wants to go through the grind of a 17-game season.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 26, 2021
Snead’s right: There has been no visible drop-off in Whitworth’s play this season. In fact, he didn’t allow a single sack in the regular season, according to Pro Football Focus. He earned an overall grade of 88.7 from PFF and was one of the top offensive tackles before getting hurt.
Assuming he can continue to play at that level next season, there’s no reason the Rams shouldn’t want him back at left tackle in 2021.
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