“I hope I’ll be back, I know I want to be back,” he said. “I believe both things, that I want to be back and they want me to be back, and hopefully we can find a way to make that work.”
Despite turning 35 last week, Whitworth is still considered of the top tackles in the league, as evidenced by his selection Tuesday as a first alternate for the Pro Bowl.
“He’s the best pass blocker in football, no question,” Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander said.
Whitworth’s career hasn’t exactly come full circle, but he was back at guard – the position he played early in his rookie season – during practice Wednesday with starting left guard Clint Boling out with a shoulder injury.
“It’s not that unnatural,” Whitworth said. “I just do whatever is needed.”
But he stopped short of saying he would be willing to make it a permanent move.
“I think I’m playing left tackle pretty well, and I think that’s what I’ll look to do next year, whether that be here or elsewhere,” he said. “Hopefully I’ll get the opportunity here, but I’m just looking forward to playing more football. So if it’s left guard, if it’s left tackle, if it’s anything else, I look forward to the opportunity.”
Whitworth said the uncertainty that 2017 holds isn’t something that bothers him heading into the final two games of the season, which also could be the final two games of an 11-year career in Cincinnati.
“I think it’s easier at this point in my career,” he said. “I’ve played and done well for myself. Now it’s more about just getting the opportunity to go compete and play the game I love playing. I would say I have a lot more clarity as far as I’m just not that worried about it. If there’s an opportunity, an offer that makes sense for me, then I want it. If not, I’ll try to find one where I can fit in and get an opportunity to play.”
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