Former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has decided to hang up his cleats after nine seasons in the NFL.
Washington, who signed Witherspoon in free agency, placed the veteran CB on the reserve/retired list on Tuesday. Witherspoon joined the team this offseason after spending the last three seasons with the Rams. He also played three years with the 49ers and two with the Steelers.
Even though his final NFL season ended with two stints on injured reserve, he was still an integral part
of L.A.’s defense.
Witherspoon started all 17 games and had a career year during his first season with the Rams in 2023. That season, he set career highs in combined tackles (52), tackles for loss (3), passes defensed (14), interceptions (3) and fumble recoveries (2). According to Pro Football Reference, he also allowed a 48.1 completion percentage and a 75.7 passer rating in coverage. It was a season that should’ve propelled him to Pro Bowl honors, but it kicked off the Rams’ ongoing playoff streak, so that’s what mattered most.
He didn’t experience as much success the following season, as he started just five of 13 games played and recorded only a single interception. Despite that, his lone pick was perhaps the play of the year in a late-season win over the Cardinals. With Arizona driving for a last-second touchdown with 37 seconds to play, Witherspoon made an incredible diving interception on a deflected pass, securing the Rams’ 13-9 win.
The turnover sealed the team’s ninth win in 11 games and eventually won them the NFC West crown, their first since the 2021 campaign. Injuries significantly limited his final season. Witherspoon suffered a broken scapula in Week 2 against the Titans and rebroke it in the wild card win over the Panthers.
Even though Witherspoon’s NFL career didn’t end on a high note or with Super Bowl glory, his time in Hollywood showcased his potential most. He made clutch plays when it mattered and provided stability at a position where the Rams had lacked depth for years. Witherspoon deserves praise for what he brought to the team in his brief time there and has earned retirement following a solid career.
