The Pittsburgh Steelers needed help in the secondary ahead of the 2021 season. They got it.
The Steelers and Seattle Seahawks agreed to a trade involving defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon on Friday afternoon, per NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Witherspoon was supposed to play a big role in Seattle’s defense this upcoming season, but he wound up losing his starting gig during training camp. Now, he’s getting another fresh opportunity.
Witherspoon played the last four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He started in 33 and played in 47 games during that span, totaling 117 tackles and four interceptions. The 26-year-old hit free agency this past offseason and wound up signing a one-year, $4 million contract with the Seahawks.
The talented defensive back is now on his way to Pittsburgh. The Steelers, who are light on bodies in the secondary, should find a big role for Witherspoon this upcoming season.
Sources: The #Seahawks are trading CB Ahkello Witherspoon to the #Steelers. A little secondary help before the opener.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2021
This is an interesting development for the Seahawks. Seattle’s secondary is a big mystery ahead of the 2021 season, and depth is most certainly an issue. The fact that the Seahawks are trading away Ahkello Witherspoon doesn’t exactly speak well of the former 49ers cornerback.
A fresh start could be all Witherspoon needs to get back on track, though. He’ll be called upon early and often in the Steelers defense. He joins a Pittsburgh secondary which includes cornerbacks Cameron Sutton, James Pierre, Joe Haden and Justin Layne.
The Steelers begin the 2021 season on Sunday, Sept. 12 against the Buffalo Bills.
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