Andrew Whitworth remembers nervous free agency before leaving Bengals

Starting a new chapter away from Cincinnati was not an easy decision for Whitworth.

Andrew Whitworth entered free agency for the first and only time in 2017. Cincinnati Bengals fans were not prepared for life after Whitworth, and Whitworth wasn’t exactly ready to enter the unknown either.

The long-time Bengals left tackle knew he was going to have opportunities outside of Cincinnati that offseason. After the Bengals offered him a modest new contract, he turned his eyes out west for something more from the Los Angeles Rams.

In a recent interview on the Jim Rome Show, Whitworth recalls being nervous and anxious leading up to meeting with and eventually signing with the Rams.

“We didn’t book a flight until the end of that day, so we ended up being the last flight from Cincinnati to Salt Lake City, and a long connection from Salt Lake City,” Whitworth said. “It ended up being around 1 a.m. when we got to L.A. with our kids. So we’re just sitting there like, ‘What are we doing? We have never done this before.’ And just a lot of nerves, a lot of anxiety [about] what the days ahead looked like.”

Luckily for the Whitworth family, that trip to L.A. was all that was needed. The 36-year old blindside blocker signed a three-year deal with the Rams, and signed another three-year deal three years later. He’s since been a part of postseason success and even played in a Super Bowl.

It’s become rare to see NFL players stick with one team for his entire career. Whitworth could’ve been an exception to this new norm, but judging by the last four years, he made a great choice amidst the nerves and anxiety.

“We couldn’t be more thankful and grateful for how it’s all gone, and how well we’ve been treated, and what an experience it’s been for us,” Whitworth said.

Be sure to check out the full interview here: