GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Former LSU offensive lineman and current Cincinnati Bengal Andrew Whitworth, who has started 28 of 32 games in his first two NFL seasons, has signed a four-year, $30 million contract extension through the 2013 season.

“They made a statement that they wanted me to be here. And I said I wanted to be here for a longer period of time to help us win,” said Whitworth, whose rookie deal ran through 2009.

Whitworth, a two-time first-team All-SEC selection who started a LSU-record 52 games from 2002-05, has made 13 of his NFL starts at left tackle.

“He has proven he can get the job done at guard or tackle, and that kind of versatility can be crucial as you go through a season and battle injuries,” head coach Marvin Lewis said.

Whitworth played 1,041 of the offense’s 1,047 snaps last season, second-most on the team behind quarterback Carson Palmer.

“I’ve been saying for at least a year that I can’t believe we got this guy in the second round of the draft,” Palmer said. “In everything you see him do, on the field and in the meeting room, he’s a first-round talent and a guy I’m glad to have working in front of me.”

“You can’t get a better guy than Whit. It blows a lot of guys’ minds. How did he end up going in the second round? He looks like a first-rounder on tape…. He’s the type of guy you build an offensive line around.”