The Los Angeles Rams already lost a pair of key defensive players when both Cory Littleton and Dante Fowler Jr. signed free-agent contracts with other teams, but they were not going to let veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth get away.
The Rams signed Whitworth to a three-year, $30 million deal that can max out at $37.5 million and also pays Whitworth $12.5 million in guaranteed money.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported it is the highest contract signed by a non-QB of at least 35 years of age in NFL history.
The #Rams are giving LT Andrew Whitworth a 3-year deal worth $30M, source said. He can get up to $37.5M — $12.5M fully guaranteed. It's the highest paying contract signed by 35+ year old non-QB in NFL history.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 18, 2020
Whitworth has started in all 16 games in each of the last two seasons in L.A. The two-time All-Pro offensive lineman will be 39 in December, but this move might be more about ensuring the Rams protect their investment in quarterback Jared Goff.
Left tackle is among the most championed positions in the NFL, and the Rams saw fit to protect Goff's blind side after they gave him a four-year, $134 million extension (with $110 million guaranteed) last September.
Whitworth had the seventh-best pass-blocking grade among all linemen last season, and he has also shown the ability to get outside and set the edge in the running game.
"He's still a top left tackle." @PFF_Sam on the Rams re-signing Andrew Whitworth pic.twitter.com/rOilwutU9Q
— PFF (@PFF) March 18, 2020
The Rams face a number of questions as to how they rebuild their defense, but they also hope to see improvement from Goff after his passer rating plummeted from 101.1 in 2018 to 86.5 in 2019.
Although Whitworth is not quite the same player he was even a few years ago, he is clearly among the best in football. The Rams are making the investment in him as they look for a bounce-back year from their offensive group in 2020.
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