Rams LT Andrew Whitworth retires after 16 seasons

In an expected move, Rams left tackle Andrew Whitworth has announced his retirement. The 40-year-old will end his carer on a high note, having won the Super Bowl with Los Angeles. 

The veteran confirmed the decision via an Instagram video. In it, he expresses his gratitude for the career he’s put together, which is filled with a number of accomplishments he lists. Included among those is two accolades collected this past season – a Super Bowl title and the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

A second-round pick in 2015, the former LSU Tiger quickly established himself as one of the best left tackles in the league during his time with the Bengals. He earned three Pro Bowls and one First-Team All Pro nod during that span, though the team’s lack of playoff success throughout that 11-year stretch apparently weighed on him.

He joined the Rams in 2017, where he carried on at the high standard he had already established. He was named an All-Pro and Pro Bowler once again and continued to play at a high level for another four campaigns. At the age of 40 this season, he became the oldest player to suit up as an offensive tackle, something that is notable in its own regard, let alone the caliber of play he set that record at.

Whitworth earned a PFF grade of 86.1 in 2021 en route to the Super Bowl title. He was therefore able to maintain a remarkably high level of play right to the end of a storied career. With a championship to his name and the respect of everyone throughout the NFL, Whitworth will certainly leave a lasting legacy.