(Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
The Steelers continue to be active in free agency, as they've re-signed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to a two-year deal, according to Josina Anderson. It's reportedly a two-year, $8 million deal for Witherspoon, per Jordan Schultz.
With Witherspoon re-signing and the Steelers signing Levi Wallace to a two-year, $8 million deal as well, the door is officially closed on Joe Haden coming back. Witherspoon and Wallace are projected to be the outside cornerbacks, while Cam Sutton will kick back inside and play the slot position. They also re-signed Arthur Maulet, who will serve as the No. 4 cornerback and play in the slot.
Witherspoon, who turns 27 in four days, was a third-round pick by the 49ers in 2017 out of Colorado. Witherspoon started 33 out of 47 games with San Francisco and signed with the Seahawks in last year's free agency cycle. However, it was a short stint with the Seahawks, as they traded Witherspoon to the Steelers for a 2023 fifth-round pick on Sept. 3.
Other than the Week 2 loss to the Raiders, Witherspoon was inactive for every game up until the Week 11 contest against the Chargers. Witherspoon proceeded to be active the rest of the way and was the Steelers' best cornerback down the stretch. In fact, Witherspoon led the Steelers with three interceptions in 2021 and he missed eight games. Witherspoon also had nine passes defended.
Witherspoon is a tall, rangy cornerback, who has a lot of untapped potential. The Steelers very well could have found themselves a steal by trading a fifth-round pick for Witherspoon, which didn't appear to be the case when he was inactive for eight of the first nine games.
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