Ahkello Witherspoon has abruptly retired from the NFL at the age of 31, stunning the Washington Commanders just weeks into training camp. Witherspoon signed a one-year, $1.41 million contract with the Commanders in May but has decided not to play out the season.
The cornerback practiced with the team on Monday before informing them of his decision Tuesday morning. The Commanders have since placed Witherspoon on the Reserve/Retired list and signed cornerback Fabian Moreau as a replacement.
Witherspoon was originally a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2017 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the 49ers, starting 33 of 47 games and recording 117 tackles and four interceptions. He later joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for two seasons, playing in 13 games and starting seven, with 35 tackles and four interceptions.
His most recent team before the Commanders was the Los Angeles Rams, where he spent three seasons, signing one-year deals each offseason. In 2023, Witherspoon started all 17 games for the Rams, registering 52 tackles and three interceptions.