Andy Levitre was acquired by the Falcons on Friday to help solidify an offensive line in desperate need of help. With this signing, the Falcons will be starting two brand new guards in Levitre and former Redskins guard Chris Chester.
Levitre spent his college days at Oregon State where he was an all-american guard for the Beavers. He was drafted in the 2nd round with the 51st pick by the Buffalo Bills. He was expected to come in and start immediately for a lowly Bills team. He experienced his share of mistakes his rookie season but played in all 16 games and was named to the NFL All-Rookie team. In 2011 and 2012, Levitre became one of the best guards in the NFL with the Bills. The success over those two seasons landed him a huge 6-year, $46.8 million deal with the Titans.
He had offseason knee surgery before the 2013 season, but he was still able to play in all 16 games and was effective for the Tennessee. However in 2014, he struggled mightily with nagging injuries and his play showed it. Even though he was still able to play in every game, Levitre was not the same player that earned a $46 million contract. The Titans hoped that Levitre could come back to form in 2015, but he instead lost his starting job. It left Tennesse with two options: trade his monster contract or cut him.
The Falcons gave up a 2016 sixth-round pick and a future conditional pick to the Titans for Levitre and his whale of a contract. Suprisingly, it looks like the Falcons will not be working on restructuring Levitre’s contract, which shows just how desperate the situation has gotten on the offensive line for Atlanta. In Levitre, the Falcons are getting a 29-year old who has never missed an NFL game and has started in all 96 of his career games. He may have struggled last season, but with the placing of Jon Asamoah on injured reserve, he will be starting for the Falcons on opening day against the Eagles.