Whitworth, 40, who retired in March after 16 NFL seasons, is on the Rams' reserved-retired list. The Cowboys' recent loss of Tyron Smith to a severe hamstring injury sparked rumors that Dallas would reach out to Whitworth, now an NFL analyst with Amazon. If Whitworth returned to the NFL, he would have to join the Rams roster. "At a minimum, Whitworth was cheekily trying to create the impression that the Cowboys have been calling him when, in reality, they haven’t been," ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio said. "At worst, the Cowboys were calling him — and also were committing a blatant tampering violation." Whitworth forcefully denied the Dallas rumors after playfully hinting that he had received phone calls and texts about the Cowboys' sudden offensive line woes. 

Whitworth, 40, retired a Super Bowl champ after 16 seasons in the NFL. While it's unlikely the All-Pro tackle comes out of retirement, Whitworth is still under contract with the Rams and has ties to both of last year’s conference winners. There's a non-zero chance he could be lured back if injuries arise. Whitworth has been staying in NFL shape, working out with Rams' linemen Joseph Noteboom and David Edwards this offseason.

In the lead-up to the Super Bowl, Whitworth said retiring a champ would be an "unreal way to walk off," and that is exactly what he is doing. A two-time All-Pro and four-time Pro Bowler, Whitworth added the 2021 Walter Payton Man of the Year award to his accomplishments the same week he won his deserved Super Bowl ring back in February. A second-round pick by the Bengals way back in 2006, Whitworth spent 11 years in Cincinnati before joining the Rams in 2017. Given his extended run of quality play, Whitworth will have a case for the Hall of Fame when he becomes eligible. 

"I don’t think there’s anything else I would have to do," Whitworth continued. The 40-year-old tackle has been the subject of retirement rumors for several years including the last time the Rams made the Super Bowl, but this comment suggests it might actually happen this time. As Whitworth said, winning the Super Bowl the same week he was named Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year would be an unreal way to call it a career.