Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has made a major decision about his future in the NFL.
Witherspoon spent three seasons with the Rams, including being a starter during his first season in 2023. He dealt with injuries last season as part of a mix-and-matched secondary, which led to the trade for Trent McDuffie and the signing of Jaylen Watson in free agency.
Now, Witherspoon is ready to start another chapter with a new phase of life.
Ex-Rams CB Ahkello Witherspoon Retiring From NFL
GettyAhkello Witherspoon is calling it a career.
Witherspoon signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency this offseason, but the former Rams veteran will not make it to the 2026 regular season.
After nine seasons in the league, Witherspoon is calling it a career.
“We have made the following roster moves,” the Washington Commanders said in a post on X on August 3, including a list that noted they had “Placed CB Ahkello Witherspoon on the Reserve/Retired List.”
“Ahkello Witherspoon retires, just months after leaving the Rams,” The Athletic’s Nate Atkins posted on X in reaction to the news.
Witherspoon, 31, was a third-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers, taken 66th overall in the 2017 draft. He tallied 91 total tackles, 5 interceptions, and 2 fumble recoveries during his time with the Rams.
He has 243 combined stops, 13 INTs, 3 recoveries, and one forced fumble in his career.
Witherspoon also has a defensive touchdown on his resume, underscoring how he was a playmaker in his prime.
Sean McVay Was Candid About Ahkello Witherspoon
GettyThe Rams missed Ahkello Witherspoon during his injury absence last season.
Rams head coach Sean McVay spoke candidly about Witherspoon following his injury this past season. Witherspoon broke his clavicle in Week 2 against the 49ers, which sidelined the corner for 11 weeks and 10 games.
“It’s unfortunate,” McVay told reporters in September 2025. “I feel terrible for Ahkello. Love him. It’s such a bummer.”
At the time, McVay and the Rams turned to Super Bowl champion Darious Williams.
Williams and the Rams announced his retirement from the NFL in March this past offseason, underscoring the state LA’s cornerback room was in. They have bounced back quite nicely between Williams and Witherspoon’s announcements.
Rams’ Rebuilt CB Room Key to Super Bowl on Defense
GettyTrent McDuffie should address the Los Angeles Rams’ biggest weakness from last season.
Despite all of the crowing about Myles Garrett and the intrigue around Aaron Donald possibly coming out of retirement, it was the Rams’ CB play–even once Witherspoon returned–that was their greatest deficiency.
The Rams have retooled their group with not one, but two champs in McDuffie and Watson, both of whom won back-to-back titles with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and 2023.
The duo went back to the Super Bowl with KC in 2024.
Now, they will bookend and sometimes play right alongside one another in a versatile Rams secondary that includes a trio of safeties in Kam Curl, Kam Kinchens, and Quentin Lake, as well as former Washington Commanders first-round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes.
In that sense, Witherspoon’s injury was a setback for him, but it was not the sole reason the Rams did not win it all.
It and his situation in general are also part of why the Rams targeted McDuffie and Watson.
Former Rams Starter Makes Significant Career Decision