Andrew Whitworth was willing to play guard if Rams traded for Trent Williams last year
The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive line was a major weakness in 2019 as the team shuffled through a number of players across every position except left tackle. Andrew Whitworth remained healthy and played at a high level when protecting Jared Goff’s blindside, but the other four spots were almost revolving doors.
That led to the team making some changes in 2020. But before the Rams landed on their starting five, they explored the possibility of trading for All-Pro Trent Williams, who Washington was looking to deal. According to Mike Garafolo, Sean McVay “dabbled with reuniting with Trent Williams as a guard,” but Washington wound up trading him to the 49ers.
Whitworth has only played left tackle with the Rams since 2017, but he told the front office and coaching staff last year that he would move to guard in order to make room for Williams.
“When we lost Rodger Saffold, there was an opportunity out there where Trent Williams was still getting the mill of trades and all that stuff,” he told the LA Football Podcast. “I can remember at one point being like, ‘Go trade for the guy. I’ll move to left guard, I don’t care. We would monster mash people.’”
A pairing of Williams and Whitworth along the left side of the Rams’ offensive line would’ve been absolutely incredible. Williams is a perennial Pro Bowler, being selected eight times since 2012. Whitworth is still one of the top left tackles in football and certainly has the strength and skill set to play guard.
He remains open to playing guard if the Rams need him to, even at this point in his career.
“I was always open to that throughout my career because I always kept it in the back of my head, like, ‘All right, early in my career I did that and I’m built with the strength to be able to play in there,’” he said. “For me, that fits my game a little better than probably some tackles and edge guys. But I’ve always kept that in my head and it’s one of those things that I prepare myself mentally if that happens. And it could happen, you never know. Right now, that’s the unique thing with the depth we have. You really look at it between our guys with Joseph Noteboom, Bobby Evans, Dave Edwards, (Austin) Corbett, (Rob) Havenstein. Brian Allen has played for us and got injured but is now back healthy. You really look at it, we’ve got an opportunity to create some competition at some positions. Who knows what happens? What if Joe Noteboom all of a sudden in the next six months is the best player we have and he’s a left tackle only? Where can you go beat out somebody and play beside him?
“I’ve got to go earn the position again, and if I don’t, I want to earn another one. So it’s one of those things where that depth helps. We’re gonna be able to create some competition up front and really get to get out there and hopefully if guys stay healthy with our best five, which is going to be an experienced group, finally in Year 3 of this group being together, so I think we’re excited about that.”
Whitworth is being modest, of course, because there’s almost no chance he’ll lose his starting left tackle job. Noteboom might be the future, or it could be Evans, but Whitworth remains the team’s best offensive lineman regardless of position.
Hearing him say he’s so open to moving around as needed is great, though, and just goes to show his dedication to helping the Rams any way he can.
