CINCINNATI -- Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth is going to play football somewhere next season.
But will it be in Cincinnati?
Whitworth will become an unrestricted free agent in March, and he hopes he and the Bengals will work out a deal to keep him there. But at 34, and after 11 seasons, he knows better than to try to predict how things will turn out.
"I think so," Whitworth said when asked if he thought he would be back with the Bengals next season. "I think they want me back. But I’ve been in the league long enough to know you never know what the heck goes on. I hope I’ll be back, I know I want to be back. ... 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."
Bengals offensive line coach Paul Alexander said he didn't need to make a plea to the front office to bring back Whitworth, whom he calls "the best pass blocker in the game."
"I think they watch the games," Alexander told reporters a few weeks ago.
If Whitworth and the Bengals don't work out a deal, it won't be because of his play. Whitworth has demonstrated that he's still one of best left tackles in the game this season, and he was named a first alternate in this year's Pro Bowl. But his age could keep teams from pursuing a long-term deal.
Whitworth expressed public frustration during his last contract talks prior to the 2015 season.
"I want to be above and beyond and do more than the average guy in this locker room," Whitworth said in May 2015. "But it's hard to do that when the feeling's not reciprocated. Really, it's just a one-way street."
The talks dragged into September before the two sides agreed to a one-year extension worth $9 million. The Bengals also drafted two tackles, taking Cedric Ogbuehi in the first round of the 2015 draft and Jake Fisher in the second round.
The ideal situation for the Bengals from a business standpoint would be to go with a younger and cheaper long-term option at left tackle. But to this point, neither tackle has proved capable of replacing Whitworth. Ogbuehi struggled at right tackle all season and was being rotated with veteran Eric Winston before the team turned to Fisher. Fisher also has rotated with Winston.
Ogbuehi now has been moved to left tackle, which he said feels more natural, but he hasn't played that position in an NFL game. Whitworth said he practiced at guard on Wednesday, which might allow the Bengals to see what Ogbuehi can do on the other side in a game situation.
Whitworth has remained the most consistent and valuable player on the offensive line this season.
Knowing how things worked out the last time around, Whitworth said he isn't going to stress over something he can't control. He said it's easier to handle the uncertainty the older he gets.
"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," he said. "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."
Whitworth has demonstrated an ability to play guard, most recently in 2013, which could increase his worth both to the Bengals and to another team.
"I think you continue to show that you can do a lot of different things and you can play wherever you’re put and you can do well at it," he said. "I think it only opens the door for more opportunity."
However, he ultimately sees himself as a tackle.
"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."
