It was a full-circle moment for Andrew Whitworth when he and the Los Angeles Rams triumphed in Super Bowl LVI.
The Rams played the up-and-coming Cincinnati Bengals, the team that Whitworth spent 11 seasons with before signing with Los Angeles back in 2017. After beating his former team to earn his first Super Bowl ring, it was widely assumed that Whitworth would retire.
While Whitworth admitted he is leaning toward retiring, no official decision has been made and he revealed that he is going to stay close to football regardless, via Skyler Carlin of USA Today:
“Here’s the thing: No matter what, I’m gonna be involved in football,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m gonna be doing, I might be sitting by you one day. I might be sitting in the Rams facility doing something else, so you never know. We’ll see what happens. I’ll be involved in football. Football’s my passion. I love this game, I love the NFL, and I can’t wait to be a part of it one way or another. So don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere.”
The tackle noted he has been working out and staying active, but it would be a shock if he returned for the 2022 season. If Whitworth wants to remain in the league, staying with the Rams as a coach would be an intriguing option. Los Angeles could always use more brilliant football minds on staff, and Whitworth fits the bill as a leader and teacher.
Whitworth previously said that he would take a few weeks to make a decision on his playing career, which means an announcement could come at any moment. If the 2021 campaign was indeed Whitworth’s final one, it ended in the best way possible and the city of Los Angeles will always be grateful for what he has done both on and off the field.
