Unexpected retirement leaves Washington in limbo as $47m ‘reclamation project’ replacement emerges

It didn’t last long in Washington for a respected veteran brought in to add experience to their defensive back options.

Ahkello Witherspoon was training with the squad as training camp got underway, but on Monday it was confirmed that he was added to the reserve/retired list.

Getty

24 hours later, ESPN’s John Keim reported that the nine-year NFL veteran informed the franchise of his decision to retire on Tuesday morning.

“Surprising because Witherspoon was performing really well in coverage in camp,” Martenzie Johnson of NOTUS Sports wrote.

The 31-year-old was selected in the third-round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and missed at least three games in each of his four seasons with the 49ers.

The Seattle Seahawks then inked the cornerback to a one-year deal worth $4 million in 2021, before trading him to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Witherspoon was cut after two-seasons in Pittsburgh, and swiftly picked up by the Los Angeles Rams.

In his first season with Los Angeles, he started all 17 games, producing statistically the best season of his career.

He then played 13 games in 2024, but was limited to just six games last season after breaking his clavicle early in the year and re-injuring it later on.

He finishes his career with 243 tackles, 13 interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 96 regular season games.

With the retirement, the Commanders depth chart took another hit.

Starter Trey Amos is recovering from a fractured fibula, and has also picked up a soft tissue problem at training camp.

Getty

Getty

Washington have acted quickly in light of the news, signing journeyman cornerback Fabian Moreau to a one-year deal.

Moreau has compiled 322 tackles and three forced fumbles across his nine-year career with five different franchises – but some argue his addition is not enough.

Commanders tipped to sign Trevon Diggs

There can never be enough depth, and ESPN’s Matt Bowen named Washington as the best fit for free agent Trevon Diggs.

“Washington could view Diggs as a reclamation project, helping him get back to being a true playmaker in the secondary,” Bowen wrote.

“He has had 20 interceptions in six NFL seasons, including a league high of 11 in 2021.

“Under new coordinator Daronte Jones, Diggs can use his man coverage traits and backfield vision to get a jump on the ball in the Commanders’ pressure-heavy scheme.

Getty

“However, he has plenty of availability concerns after spending at least a portion of the past three seasons on injured reserve.”

Injuries have derailed Diggs’ career over the last three years. Months after signing a $97 million extension with the Dallas Cowboys, he went down with a torn ACL.

Subsequent knee issues, concussions, and a brief stint with the Green Bay Packers followed after Dallas cut ties with him late last season.

Diggs played his best football under Quinn when the latter served as defensive coordinator in Dallas.

Adam Peters could add a high-upside insurance to a thin cornerback room, giving Washington a potent playmaker eager to prove he still belongs in the league.