Ahkello Witherspoon, who spent nine seasons as a cornerback for the San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Rams, has abruptly retired from the NFL at the age of 31. The Washington Commanders placed Witherspoon on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday, concluding his career before he could play a game for the team.
Selected by the 49ers in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Witherspoon's rookie season saw him climb from the fifth cornerback on the depth chart to a starter by Week 8. In his first start, he recorded an interception and allowed three catches on eight targets. He finished that season with two interceptions and seven pass breakups in nine starts.
While early promise in San Francisco was hampered by injuries and inconsistent performance, Witherspoon rebuilt his value with the Steelers in 2021. Capitalizing on opportunities created by injuries, he intercepted Kirk Cousins twice and added another pick against Baker Mayfield, eventually earning a two-year contract extension.
Witherspoon experienced his most complete season in 2023 with the Rams, playing over 1,000 defensive snaps. He recorded three interceptions and 14 pass breakups, with opposing quarterbacks completing only 48.1 percent of passes thrown into his coverage. The Rams utilized his length and aggressive style, employing press coverage on nearly 55 percent of his snaps. This approach, while carrying some risk, allowed him to disrupt routes effectively.
Even after beginning the 2024 season on the Rams' practice squad, Witherspoon made a significant play when called upon, securing a game-preserving interception in the final minute against Arizona to help seal a victory. His season, however, was limited to six games due to a fractured scapula, which he initially sustained in Week 2 and reinjured during the Rams' wild-card playoff game.
Throughout his career, Witherspoon amassed 243 tackles, 13 interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown. His career was characterized by resilience, strong ball skills, and a consistent ability to make impactful plays when called upon.