The Los Angeles Rams will have a revamped cornerback room this year after trading for Trent McDuffie and signing Jaylen Watson in free agency.
The two-time Super Bowl-winning teammates are looking to provide a boost to a Rams secondary that was inconsistent at times last season. Given their struggles, it should come as no surprise that L.A. felt comfortable letting several of their own free agents sign elsewhere this offseason.
Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick both joined the Dallas Cowboys while Roger McCreary inked a deal with the Detroit Lions. Darious Williams also announced his retirement after an eight-year NFL career.
It now appears that another Rams free agent will be heading elsewhere as Ahkello Witherspoon is reportedly signing with the Washington Commanders, via Mike Garafolo of NFL Network:
The #Commanders are signing veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon following his visit to the team today, sources say. After three seasons with the #Rams, Witherspoon heads to Washington, rejoining GM Adam Peters, who was with the #49ers when the team drafted Witherspoon. pic.twitter.com/7axtyQSREj
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 26, 2026
Witherspoon was limited to six games this past season due to injuries, recording one interception, two passes defensed and eight combined tackles.
The 31-year-old originally signed with the Rams in 2023 after he was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He appeared in 36 games (24 starts) with L.A., registering five interceptions, 25 passes defensed, two fumble recoveries and 91 combined tackles.
Witherspoon will now get a fresh start with a Commanders team that made it to the NFC Championship Game only two seasons ago. The veteran cornerback reunites with general manager Adam Peters, who drafted him in 2017 when he was part of the San Francisco 49ers front office.
Witherspoon’s departure leaves the Rams a little thin at the cornerback position, so they will presumably look to add some players in the 2026 NFL Draft next month. After McDuffie and Watson, the team’s depth options include Emmanuel Forbes Jr. and Cam Lampkin.
Panthers sign former Rams linebacker Nick Hampton
Witherspoon is the second Rams free agent to join a new team in the last week as linebacker Nick Hampton signed with the Carolina Panthers.
The Rams selected Hampton in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, but never truly made an impact with the team. He appeared in 36 games over the last three seasons, recording 17 tackles and two passes defensed. Hampton mostly contributed on special teams as he played just 188 total defensive snaps.
Hampton was cut by the Rams this past December before eventually re-signing with the team’s practice squad. He was elevated to the active roster on several occasions last year and wound up appearing in 15 games between the regular season and playoffs.