Rams’ legend warns ‘you can’t just show up’ ahead of Week 2 vs Giants

· California Post

Andrew Whitworth wants his former team to wake up.

The Rams’ Super Bowl-winning former left tackle described Los Angeles’ 27-7 loss to the 49ers in The Super Bowl-winning former left tackle described Los Angeles’ 27-7 loss to the 49ers in Melbourne as a humbling message to a roster that entered the season with Super Bowl expectations.

The Rams’ first chance to prove they received it comes Monday night against the 1-0 Giants. New York opened the John Harbaugh era with a 28-20 victory over the heavily favored Cowboys and now arrives at SoFi Stadium with an opportunity to deepen Los Angeles’ early hole.

Andrew Whitworth watches during a joint practice between the Los Angeles Rams and the New Orleans Saints at the Rams Practice Facility in Woodland Hills, California, Thursday, August 20, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“The NFL has a way of humbling you very quickly,” Whitworth told Front Office Sports. He called the defeat a needed wake-up call and warned that “you can’t just show up and people are going to bow down to you.”

Los Angeles produced minus-0.289 expected points added per play, with its passing offense sinking to minus-0.454 EPA per attempt. The Rams converted only 2 of 9 third downs, committed two turnovers and scored once in three red-zone trips.

San Francisco gained 379 yards, converted 7 of 12 third downs and did not allow a sack. The Rams’ offensive collapse began with Matthew Stafford, who threw for 155 yards and an interception, but the failure extended throughout the roster. Prize acquisition Myles Garrett finished without a tackle, sack or quarterback hit.

The Rams could not sustain drives, end San Francisco’s possessions or disrupt Brock Purdy.

Matthew Stafford (9) of the Los Angeles Rams is tackled after making a pass in the first quarter of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026. Getty Images
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth celebrate after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. USA TODAY Sports

Whitworth’s message nevertheless carried balance. The morning after the loss, he advised frustrated fans to “R-E-L-A-X!” He noted that New England lost its 2025 opener to a Raiders team that finished 3-14 before reaching the Super Bowl.

The Rams have authored recoveries of their own. They went from 3-2 to 12-5 last season, 1-4 to 10-7 in 2024 and 3-5 to 10-7 in 2023.

That history supplies perspective, not absolution. One opener will not decide the Rams’ season, but their offseason additions and Super Bowl billing guarantee nothing.

Monday night offers the first measure of their response. Los Angeles does not need to panic, but it cannot expect an unbeaten opponent to bow down, either.

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