ASHBURN, VA — The Washington Commanders aren’t waiting for the draft to fix their depleted secondary. General Manager Adam Peters reached into his past on Thursday, signing veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a one-year deal. The move, first reported by Mike Garafolo, comes as Washington tries to stabilize a defense that struggled during a 5-12 campaign in 2025.
Peters Reunites with a Familiar Face
The connection here is clear. Peters was in the San Francisco 49ers’ front office when they drafted Witherspoon in 2017. Now, with the Commanders needing reliable hands after the release of Marshon Lattimore earlier this month, Witherspoon provides immediate insurance. He arrives in D.C. after a three-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams, where he flashed elite ball-tracking skills despite a rotating cast around him.
Witherspoon isn’t just a depth piece; he’s a battle-tested pro with 96 career games and 64 starts under his belt. His career totals of 60 passes defended and 13 interceptions suggest he still has the range to challenge NFC East receivers. Last year with the Rams, he appeared in six games, securing one interception and two pass breakups before the team shifted toward younger talent. For a Washington team that ranked 28th against the pass last season, his 6-foot-2 frame is a welcome addition to a room currently led by Mike Sainristil.
“Ahkello brings a level of veteran composure we lacked at times last season. He knows our philosophy, he’s got the length we covet, and he’s hungry to prove he’s a starter in this league.”
— Adam Peters, Commanders General Manager (via Team Statement)
Draft Rumors: Is Jeremiyah Love the Missing Piece?
While the Witherspoon signing shores up the defense, the league is buzzing about what Peters will do with the No. 7 overall pick in April. The Commanders need to surround a returning Jayden Daniels with elite weapons. Enter Jeremiyah Love. The Notre Dame standout and 2025 Doak Walker Award winner is the heavy favorite to be the first running back off the board in Pittsburgh next month.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter fueled the fire this week on The Pat McAfee Show, suggesting Washington is the “spot that makes sense” for Love. Pairing Love’s 4.36 speed with Daniels’ dual-threat ability would create a nightmare for defensive coordinators. While some analysts argue for an offensive lineman or another receiver, the temptation to grab a Hall of Fame-caliber talent like Love at seven might be too great for a front office looking to make a massive splash.
The release of Lattimore saved the club $18.5 million in cap space, giving them the flexibility to balance these veteran signings with high-end rookie contracts. Whether they pivot to a playmaker like Love or stick to the trenches, the “bad taste” of 2025 is clearly driving a rapid, aggressive rebuild in Ashburn.
