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When it comes to the first round of the 2015 NFL draft, it's widely believed that the Cincinnati Bengals will address the line of scrimmage -- either at tackle (offense/defense) or with an edge rusher (which I'm highly doubting at this point). Due to the team's contractual situation at offensive tackle -- Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith entering the final year of their existing deals -- there is a strong argument to be made for offensive tackle.
But Whitworth isn't worried about being replaced.
"Right now, this is the strongest I've been in my life; most conditioned I've been in my life. I don’t see the door that’s closing. This is the strongest I've ever lifted in my career. I feel like I’m as fast or faster than I've ever been in my life. I’m in the best shape ever. I stop listening to what people thought about what year you are in or when they thought you should be done and started to just listening to what my body says. My body says I can still go get it. I’m still excited to take on anybody any day."
OK, OK, we get it. If the Bengals use the draft to replace Whitworth, the veteran left tackle is fine with that... provided one thing:
"I want them to bring in anybody that makes our team better. I don’t care if it’s my spot or not," Andrew Whitworth said. "When we talk about that challenge of taking that on that’s just me personally at my spot. I love any guy that has a chance to help us. Truth is, eventually they have to find a young guy that one day can be that position barring injury and those things. I understand that part and any kid that comes here with the hunger to be good, I want him in this locker room. That only makes us better."
I'm fairly certain that the Bengals will work overtime to get an extension done with Whitworth -- either this summer or prior to free agency next year; he's one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL and for whatever reason he's being asked about being replaced. The player who should be worried is Andre Smith. Yes? No?