Los Angeles Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth did some soul searching this offseason when it came to his playing future.
Although there was initial speculation regarding his retirement, the 39-year-old is set to return for the 2021 NFL season. The fire he showed while recovering from a severe knee injury late last year was enough to let him know there was still some gas in the tank.
Whitworth still has two years left on the three-year deal he signed last offseason. However, it seems he does not plan on playing it out in its entirety.
The veteran said during an appearance on Chris Long’s podcast, “Green Light,” that his 16th NFL season will likely be his last:
“I set a goal in 2013, I had a patella injury and just was kind of getting frustrated with it and I was like, ‘If I get through this, I want to try to play till 40.’ I didn’t think it was realistic or that it’d happen, but I was like, ‘I want to try to do that.’ This year, to me, it feels like this is it,” he said. “I’ve put everything into trying to play this season and playing at the level I want to. I feel like this will probably be the end, but also, all my closest friends will tell you that I’ve said that for about seven straight years, so I don’t know how believable it is, but it feels like it is.”
Whitworth will turn 40 down the final stretch of the 2021 campaign in December. Thus, fulfilling the goal he had set for himself all those years ago.
Although Whitworth’s comments indicate that there is always room for a change of heart, this is the first time he has set a potential timeline for himself. It is safe to say that the outcome of this season will play a major role in whether or not he sees it through.
After all, Whitworth had been playing some of the best ball of his career last season until suffering the knee injury. With no clear replacement currently on the roster, the Rams may do what they can to keep him around while they continue to develop a worthy successor.
L.A. has embraced the Super Bowl expectations that came with quarterback Matthew Stafford’s arrival this offseason. Should they manage to make it come to fruition, Whitworth would have good reason to ride off in the sunset on top as a champion.
