PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Wanting to add depth to their secondary, the Steelers used a fifth-round pick to acquire corner Ahkello Witherspoon from the Seahawks in early September 2020.
In the first nine weeks of the season, Witherspoon played four snaps. Steelers coaches saying he needed to learn the system. Head Coach Mike Tomlin took it a step further that the 26-year-old wasn’t good enough to play on special teams and they couldn’t afford to dress him in front of a corner who could play on kick units.
Injuries got him an opportunity to get on the field November 21st at the Chargers. He would play 35 snaps total in that game and at Cincinnati. After that point it turned for Witherspoon, playing over 55% of the defensive snaps and even got on the field for nearly 20 special teams reps.
“I think I enjoyed my time here,” Witherspoon said after the playoff loss to Kansas City. “I think the familiarity with the defense, getting to understand it the weeks I wasn’t playing.”
Fair to say Witherspoon took advantage of some opportunities intercepting three passes, nine passes defended and 15 tackles.
“I think the varying defenses that we play here, it suits my game well because I like to be diverse in my game play,” Witherspoon said. “In the traditional Cover 3 system, you are in a lot of similar situations. When you are rolling different defenses out, game in, game out you are getting exposed to different plays, making plays at different angles. As a competitor, as a corner especially, it’s fun to be a part of a defense that exposes you to those different facets of the game.”
“That type of detail is awesome to be a part of. I’m very excited to see where my game goes because of this experience.”
WHY SIGN HIM
• As he stated, Witherspoon started to understand the defense and was able to make impact plays.
• In just three starts, Witherspoon led the Steelers in interceptions
• He’s a good size at 6’2”
WHY NOT
• The numbers with the Steelers were far and away career-highs, was the last half of 2021 a fluke?
• As mentioned, he’s not a good special teams player. Most back-up defensive backs must play on kick units, he would have to start to show true value.
• Could get a better free agent option if willing/able to spend the money
COST
Witherspoon signed for $4 million last season in Seattle and would likely be in that range on a multi-year deal.
High End-Patriots JC Jackson-26-year-old likely to get $18 million a season according to PFF
Bargain-Seattle’s Sidney Jones at around $4 million for the 25-year-old, per PFF
Wants to stay
“I think we have a lot of cohesion,” Witherspoon said of his Steelers teammates. “That’s important, just that brotherhood aspect that you can’t really measure. The guys in the room are all respectful of one another, extremely high competitors, love the game, very detailed, very nerdy when it comes to football. That’s the type of stuff you want to be around when you are at the job day in and day out waking up at 7am.”