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LA Rams To Sign Former Bengals LT Andrew Whitworth (UPDATED)

He’s 35-years old, but it’s hard to see him as anything other than an upgrade over incumbent Greg Robinson

Cincinnati Bengals v Baltimore Ravens Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

Heading into the legal tampering period, the Los Angeles Rams had clear goals to upgrade their offensive line and receiving corps. While they have largely fell on their face on the latter, they have made significant progress on the former in locking up OT Andrew Whitworth:

The most obvious news here is that the Rams just upgraded at the most important position along the OL: left tackle. Three years after being the #2 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, it is almost certain that the Rams will be moving Greg Robinson inside to guard.

According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the terms of the deal are pretty staggering for a 35-year old lineman:

It’s a gamble for the Rams, but it’s one they had to take to protect last year’s #1 overall pick Jared Goff. Goff was straight up getting mauled at the end of the 2016 season and an OT the caliber of Whitworth will be a welcome sight for the young QB.

After accounting for the $13M cap hit in 2017, the Rams have roughly $6M in cap space remaining.

UPDATED (9:20 AM)

Well that answers that. It’ll be worth monitoring OL snaps when OTAs roll around to say the least.