3 reasons why LA Rams must re-sign FA OT Andrew Whitworth

The right contract price can get ‘er done

While many suspect veterans to be casualties of the data analytics movement, that is not necessarily the case. Some teams have invested heavily into analytics, such as the Philadelphia Eagles, and they have been more than happy to sign NFL veteran free agents to shorter term contracts.

Hopefully, Whitworth’s agent and the LA Rams are not zip codes apart over the dollars on a new contract. The LA Rams do not have a lot of cap space to bargain around, which means they have a limited amount of cap space allotted to sign a free agent to the left tackle spot. If Whitworth’s expectations are too far out of reach, the Rams will shop elsewhere

So far, Whitworth does not sound like a player who will let that happen. He has expressed his hopes of remaining with the Rams often.  This off-season, he is coming off a 3-year $36 million contract, but cannot believe he’ll command nearly that amount in the free agent market this time around. While he will not publicly admit to taking a pay cut to remain a Ram, that is most certainly what he and his agent have discussed privately.

The Rams would be wise to bring Whitworth back, while simultaneously aiming to find his successor in the 2020 NFL Draft.  Still, first things first.  The Rams need a solid left tackle, and Andrew Whitworth has been “that guy” consistently for years.

Ultimately, the 2020 LA Rams will play in their new $5 billion Sofi Stadium sports complex.  It just seems fitting for left tackle Andrew Whitworth to lead the team out of the tunnel for the Rams first home game. And the true bottom line is this – the Rams have failed to prepare for this moment in their depth chart.