L.A. Rams’ Andrew Whitworth is retiring after 16-season NFL career

Left deal with Andrew Whitworth is retiring after a 16-season NFL profession capped by his first Tremendous Bowl championship final month with the Los Angeles Rams.

Whitworth made his long-anticipated determination official Tuesday, simply over a month after the Rams beat his former staff, the Cincinnati Bengals, to win his first ring.

Whitworth turned 40 final December and have become the oldest participant to begin at left deal with within the trendy NFL. The 2-time All-Professional choice protected Matthew Stafford’s blind facet all the best way to a 23-20 victory within the Tremendous Bowl on the Rams’ personal SoFi Stadium.

He spent his remaining 5 seasons with the Rams, who signed him shortly after hiring Sean McVay as their head coach in 2017. The huge offensive lineman was the cornerstone of McVay’s transformative offense in Los Angeles, main the staff to 5 consecutive successful seasons, 4 playoff berths, three NFC West titles, two Tremendous Bowl appearances and one championship.

Whitworth additionally was chosen the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Yr final season for his intensive neighborhood work and mentorship to youthful teammates, alongside together with his glorious play.

Whitworth mentioned as lately as December he hoped to play out the following yr of his contract with the Rams in 2022. However the alternative to exit on the pinnacle of his profession proved too engaging to the lineman and his household. Whitworth and his spouse, Melissa, have 4 youngsters.

The four-time Professional Bowl choice’s profession started with 11 seasons in Cincinnati, which drafted him within the second spherical in 2006. He began his profession on the inside line earlier than shifting to left deal with in 2009 for the Bengals, quickly establishing himself as a superb all-around blocker and a prime left deal with.

Whitworth is a Louisiana native who received a nationwide championship at LSU earlier than the Bengals drafted him within the second spherical in 2006.

Someday earlier than Whitworth’s long-expected announcement, the Rams re-signed Joseph Noteboom to a three-year, $40 million contract that might be price as much as $47.5 million by enjoying time incentives. Noteboom has spent the previous 4 years largely as Whitworth’s backup, and he has been a succesful alternative every time Whitworth was slowed by accidents.

Whitworth’s retirement will save the Rams about $16 million towards the wage cap, and the champs will want that room to bolster their roster for an additional title run. He was due a $3 million roster bonus on Saturday.