Commanders are hosting veteran free agent to fill void at uncertain position, but he won’t fix their real problem
The Commanders are looking to add experience at a vital position that lacks it, but he shouldn’t be expected to fix their issues.
The Washington Commanders made many changes during the NFL free agency period and ended up as the top spenders this offseason.
They may not be done just yet with addressing their roster needs after failing to add a WR and an outside CB. They’re exploring all options to fix both in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they’re also bringing in a familiar face to bring a veteran presence on defense.
The Commanders are hosting veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon
The Commanders added Amik Robertson on a cheap two-year deal, and he’s likely going to play nickel corner in Daronte Jones’ defense. They still haven’t added that lockdown CB that head coach Dan Quinn said they wanted to add, but the offseason isn’t over yet. As they focus on meeting with NFL Draft prospects, they’re also hosting veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon, who is still a free agent.
Witherspoon is looking for a new home this offseason as he enters his 10th season, and he may reunite with Adam Peters, who was with the San Francisco 49ers when they drafted him in 2017. His experience with the Los Angeles Rams over the last four seasons has not been what he expected, or even close to how well he played with the 49ers.
He’s been on a steady, slow decline and played just 174 snaps last season after suffering a broken scapula in Week 2, and he didn’t return until Week 13. Witherspoon then re-aggravated his shoulder injury in the playoffs against the Carolina Panthers and didn’t return for the rest of their playoff run.
The Rams made serious changes this offseason in the CB room, and it was obvious Witherspoon wasn’t returning, and now the Commanders are doing their own homework on the 6-2, 195-pound outside CB. Witherspoon could be an answer, but not the answer.
Should the Commanders sign Ahkello Witherspoon or not
Signing Witherspoon would fill one major void, and that’s CB depth. They have nobody of quality behind Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, and the newly added veteran Amik Robertson. The Commanders should bring him in on a cheap one-year deal and actually have a veteran presence in the CB room next season. Signing him shouldn’t change any plans of adding a true lockdown outside CB, however.
The Commanders are checking in on many CBs in the 2026 NFL Draft, including Mansoor Delane, who could be their pick at No. 7 overall. There’s a strong chance they add another outside CB with one of their first two picks to compete with Sainristil, and his job is nowhere near safe next season, no matter where he was drafted.
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