After all these years, Andrew Whitworth finally knows what it’s like to win a playoff game after the Los Angeles Rams defeated the Dallas Cowboys 30-22 in the Divisional Round.
Once Sean McVay officially took over the head coaching duties for the Los Angeles Rams during the 2017 offseason, right away the team knew that one of the top priorities moving forward was to figure out a way to address their weaknesses on the offensive line.
After trading up in 2016 to land Jared Goff at No. 1 in the NFL Draft the previous year, the Rams learned the hard way during his rookie campaign how there was only so much he could do on his own without the proper protection.
To say the offensive line of Los Angeles was horrendous would be a huge understatement, but luckily things would turn around in Goff’s sophomore campaign when McVay and company convinced veteran Andrew Whitworth to come on board in free agency.
When considering that Whitworth spent the first 11 years of his NFL career as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals along with the fact that Los Angeles was coming off a four-win season, it was quite the surprise to see him choose a team like the Rams over others.
Not to mention, when considering that Whitworth isn’t getting any younger, the timetable to win a Super Bowl is closing in, making his decision to join McVay’s team even more surprising since the Rams seemed like they would need at least one or two years of rebuilding.
Clearly, Whitworth saw something special in what McVay and the Rams were brewing up when he made the decision to come on board after seeing how quickly this team has become a serious threat in the NFC.
Watching the faces of McVay and his players celebrate Saturday’s playoff win over the Cowboys seemed like a long time coming for the Rams, but when it comes to the players to feel most happy for, there’s no question Whitworth sits on top of that list.
One can only imagine how different things would be for Los Angeles over the last two years if Whitworth weren’t part of the picture when seeing how much easier he’s made life for key players like Goff and Todd Gurley.
Without question, Whitworth deserved this win the most for the Rams when looking at everything he’s dealt with throughout his stellar career. And hopefully if all goes well next Sunday, the real celebrating is just beginning for Whitworth and the rest of his Los Angeles teammates.