Rams add LB Leonard Floyd, keep Andrew Whitworth, Austin Blythe on O-line
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Rams are keeping their offensive line intact while their entire defense undergoes major changes.
The Rams agreed to re-sign starting offensive linemen Andrew Whitworth and Austin Blythe on Wednesday during the opening hours of the new league year.
A person with knowledge of the situation also confirmed the Rams agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $13 million for pass-rushing linebacker Leonard Floyd. He will be the nominal replacement for Dante Fowler, who joined an exodus of defensive starters from Los Angeles.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team hasn’t announced the signing.
The 38-year-old Whitworth will return for his 15th NFL season after agreeing to a three-year contract with the Rams. He has started every game Los Angeles was trying to win since his arrival in 2017, and he played a major role in the Rams’ offensive success in their first two seasons under coach Sean McVay.
Whitworth’s play appeared to slip somewhat last season with more penalties while the Rams’ entire offense backslid, but he remained a key veteran leader and a reliable blocker.
Blythe has been a key starter for the past two seasons while playing three positions on the line for the Rams, who claimed him off waivers from Indianapolis in 2017. Blythe has started at left guard, right guard and center for Los Angeles.
The rest of the Rams’ offensive line is in flux after right tackle Rob Havenstein had a rough 2019 season and young starters Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen incurred season-ending injuries.
The Rams missed the playoffs despite going 9-7 last season with an above-average defense. With little room to spend underneath the salary cap while planning a massive contract extension for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the Rams inevitably will need a major defensive overhaul.
The Rams lost three important defensive starters in the opening days of free agency, with defensive lineman Michael Brockers joining Baltimore, leading tackler Cory Littleton moving to Las Vegas and pass-rusher Dante Fowler inking a lucrative deal with Atlanta.
Los Angeles already lost starting safety Eric Weddle, who retired, and nickel back Nickell Robey-Coleman, whose $4.5 million option wasn’t picked up.
They began to fill that talent vacuum with the addition of Floyd, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears. The ninth overall pick in the 2016 draft had seven sacks in his rookie season, but his totals have declined in each subsequent season.
The Bears released him Tuesday after acquiring Robert Quinn, but he landed a quick reunion with Brandon Staley, his position coach for the past two seasons with Chicago. Staley is the Rams’ new defensive coordinator.
Floyd also played two seasons at Georgia with Rams running back Todd Gurley.