After testing waters in free agency, Ahkello Witherspoon embraces return to Steelers secondary

Ahkello Witherspoon took a patient approach to his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it led to a starting job at cornerback by the end of the season.

Things worked out so well for the 27-year-old cornerback that he used the same tactic in free agency.

Witherspoon bided his time until the second week of free agency when he agreed to return to the Steelers on a two-year, $8 million contract.

“It was just appropriate for me to test the waters outside,” Witherspoon said earlier this week. “It’s just business. They were very respectful of that and encouraging of that nature of the business. It was encouraging to go through the process. Their offer was on the table, and I could come back to it and be in a place where I’m happy and I’m excited to play football.”

The foray into free agency was the second in as many seasons for Witherspoon. In 2021, after four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, he signed a one-year, $4 million contract with Seattle. His stay in Seattle, however, lasted only until the end of training camp.

The Steelers traded a fifth-round pick in the 2023 draft to Seattle to add Witherspoon to their depth at cornerback behind starters Joe Haden and Cameron Sutton.

Initially, the trade worked to Witherspoon’s disadvantage. He was inactive for eight of the first nine games. And in that lone appearance, he gave up a 61-yard touchdown pass to Las Vegas’ Henry Ruggs that contributed to a 26-17 loss.

It took eight games for Witherspoon to get back on the field. Witherspoon said coach Mike Tomlin was upfront about his standing in the cornerback rotation.

“I don’t live with much expectation,” Witherspoon said. “I didn’t have any idea or concept last year when I got traded, and I was able to make the best of an opportunity. I kind of keep my brain quiet, trust the people that do the jobs that they do, and they can trust in me that I’m going to be ready to do my job.”

He re-emerged when Haden suffered a foot injury that kept him out of the lineup for four games. Witherspoon appeared in the final eight games, starting three. He also started the wild-card playoff loss at Kansas City.

Witherspoon plans to attend medical school when his football career is over, and he is smart enough to know not to fret over factors that are out of his control.

“If you spend time thinking about it or worrying about when that (opportunity) might be, you’re wasting valuable minutes on preparing for that moment,” he said. “All I did was sit back and trust in the people that were in front of me, the leaders that were ahead of me. I listened and took it in stride. When the opportunity came, I was prepared for it because I wasn’t taking myself through that mental jungle gym for no reason.”

Witherspoon set a career high with three interceptions, getting two of his picks in a December loss at Minnesota. He also tied a career high with nine pass breakups.

His play in the second half of the season prompted the Steelers to pursue re-signing him. With Haden turning 33 in April, the Steelers opted to sign Witherspoon, who is six years younger. The deal also is financially beneficial for the Steelers, as it counts just $2.517 million against the 2022 salary cap.

“They gave me a good opportunity to take my game where I wanted it to go,” Witherspoon said. “I enjoy playing with my brothers. I enjoy the city of Pittsburgh and to be coached by a great head coach like Mike Tomlin. It made the decision pretty easy.”

Witherspoon wasn’t the only young cornerback brought aboard in free agency. The Steelers also added Levi Wallace, who turns 27 in June, to a two-year deal that includes the same salary cap hit as Witherspoon’s contract.

Wallace and Witherspoon are expected to start at the two outside spots next season. This alignment would allow Sutton to move inside.

“My reaction was I was excited that our team got better,” Witherspoon said about the Wallace signing. “I’ve watched him play a few times and always liked his length, combination of size and speed, and his feel for the game. For me, it’s about making the team better, pushing myself, pushing him, pushing each other. When you have high-caliber guys in the building, all you are going to do is make your team better, make yourself better, and that’s what I’m here for.”