Rams legendary LT Andrew Whitworth named to all-time free agency team

[ASFN Admin]

The Los Angeles Rams built a quick contender when head coach Sean McVay joined in 2017. Within two seasons, they were competing for a Super Bowl and within five they won one.

Those teams were built by savvy roster moves from McVay and general manager Les Snead, and some of them came during free agency. While the splashy trades and quality draft picks will get all the attention, one of the Rams' most impactful moves came in McVay's first free agency as head coach.

FOX Sports' Ralph Vacchiano built his all-time free agency team and picked former Rams star Andrew Whitworth as the best left tackle in NFL history. The Rams added an aging Whitworth on a cheap three-year, $33.8 million in 2017 after he'd spent his entire career with the Cincinnati Bengals. Whitworth immediately became a fan favorite and was a Pro Bowler and first-team All-Pro in his first year with the Rams.

"After 11 seasons in Cincinnati, Whitworth was coming off three of his finest seasons. But he was also about to turn 36 and several NFL teams decided he was too old for a big investment. Not the Rams, though. They jumped at the chance to add him, and he rewarded them with his second first-team All-Pro season. He also stabilized a line that had become a liability and helped them give up 21 fewer sacks in his first season. In his second season, Whitworth and the line helped the Rams reach their first Super Bowl in 17 years. Three years later, in Whitworth's final season, they'd win their first."

Whitworth was eventually replaced by Alaric Jackson, who just re-signed with the Rams on a three-year, $57 million deal. While the Rams may never replace the grandeur of Whitworth, Jackson has proven to be a good left tackle that should continue to help keep Matthew Stafford upright in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams legend Whitworth named to all-time free agency team

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