3 surprise cuts the Rams could make this offseason

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 29: Head Coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams talk during a game against the Houston Texans during week four of the preseason at NRG Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Rams defeated the Texans 22-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 29: Head Coach Sean McVay and GM Les Snead of the Los Angeles Rams talk during a game against the Houston Texans during week four of the preseason at NRG Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. The Rams defeated the Texans 22-10. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 3
Next
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Andrew Whitworth #77 of the Los Angeles Rams during a timeout against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Bills beat the Rams 35 to 32. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY – SEPTEMBER 27: Andrew Whitworth #77 of the Los Angeles Rams during a timeout against the Buffalo Bills at Bills Stadium on September 27, 2020 in Orchard Park, New York. Bills beat the Rams 35 to 32. (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images) /

Sean McVay’s team was in the playoffs in 2020 but now has some tough decisions ahead.

It’s a team that has already made a lot of news this offseason. The Los Angeles Rams have posted four consecutive winning seasons and reached the playoffs three times and reached Super Bowl LIII in 2018. But it’s time to pay the piper in terms of the salary cap (via Spotrac).

Hence the following three players in the list, with an emphasis on the word “could.” Now keep in mind that this is an organization that is parting ways via trade (which becomes official in mid-March) with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft in quarterback Jared Goff. He’s been a pivotal part of the team’s success under McVay but the club now turns to veteran Matthew Stafford.

Once again, here are three players that could be released by the team in the coming weeks.

3. LT Andrew Whitworth

He’s been a big part of the team’s revival, which began with the hiring of head coach Sean McVay in 2017. Veteran left tackle Andrew Whitworth spent his first 11 seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals and inked a free-agent contract with the Los Angeles Rams the same year McVay joined the organization. It’s no coincidence that the club has posted four consecutive winning seasons under the coach’s guidance as well as solid offensive line play led by the 15-year pro.

But Whitworth also comes off playing in a career-low nine regular-season contests. Could the four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro wind up on the outside looking in come 2021 – especially given the Rams’ cap issues and his salary (via Cameron DaSilva of RamsWire.com)?