On Thursday, March 26, a former member of the Seattle Seahawks officially secured a new opportunity to continue his professional football career. Although his time in Seattle was relatively short lived, dating back to the 2021 season, the experienced defensive back has remained active in the league and continued to build his résumé across multiple teams.
Most recently, he suited up for the Los Angeles Rams, but his NFL journey has also included stops with the San Francisco 49ers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving him a well rounded background and familiarity with different defensive systems.
The player in question is veteran cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, a seasoned defensive contributor who has quietly put together a solid career since entering the league. News of his latest move came via NFL insider Jordan Schultz, who reported that Witherspoon has reached an agreement with the Washington Commanders.
This signing marks another chapter in a career defined by adaptability and perseverance, as Witherspoon continues to find ways to remain a valuable piece in NFL secondaries.
Over the past three seasons, Witherspoon has been a consistent presence in the Rams’ defensive backfield. During that stretch, he made 24 starts, demonstrating reliability and earning the trust of his coaching staff. In addition to his role as a starter, he also contributed on the stat sheet, recording five interceptions.
While those numbers may not place him among the league’s elite ball hawks, they reflect his ability to make key plays when given the opportunity. His length, athleticism, and experience have allowed him to match up against a variety of wide receivers, making him a versatile option in pass coverage.
Originally selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Witherspoon entered the league with the San Francisco 49ers, where he began to develop his skill set at the professional level. His time with the 49ers was significant not only for his early career growth but also because of the relationships he formed within the organization.
One of those connections now comes full circle with his move to Washington. Commanders general manager Adam Peters was part of the 49ers’ front office during Witherspoon’s tenure in San Francisco, meaning there is already a level of familiarity and trust between the player and the organization’s leadership.
That existing relationship could play a meaningful role in Witherspoon’s transition to his new team. Front office executives often value players they have previously evaluated or worked with, as there is less uncertainty regarding their abilities, work ethic, and fit within a team culture.
For Witherspoon, joining a franchise where he is already known could provide a smoother adjustment period and potentially increase his chances of carving out a significant role in the defensive rotation.
Financially, Witherspoon has also done well for himself throughout his NFL career. According to data compiled by Spotrac, his career earnings are projected to total approximately $17.9 million. That figure reflects not only his longevity in the league but also his ability to remain relevant and contribute across multiple teams. For a third round pick, reaching that level of financial success is a testament to his consistency and professionalism over the years.
The Commanders’ decision to bring in Witherspoon likely stems from a desire to add depth and experience to their secondary. In today’s pass heavy NFL, having reliable cornerbacks is essential, and teams are constantly looking for players who can step in and handle significant responsibilities when needed. Witherspoon’s track record suggests he is capable of doing just that, whether as a starter or as a rotational piece who can provide quality snaps in key situations.
From Witherspoon’s perspective, this signing represents another opportunity to prove his value and continue extending his career. Each new team presents its own set of challenges, including learning a new playbook, adjusting to different coaching styles, and building chemistry with teammates.
However, Witherspoon’s experience across multiple organizations should help him navigate those transitions effectively. His familiarity with various defensive schemes could also make him a flexible asset for Washington’s coaching staff as they look to deploy their personnel in the most effective way possible.
For Seahawks fans, Witherspoon’s move to Washington may bring mixed feelings. While his time in Seattle was brief, he remains part of the broader network of former players who continue their careers elsewhere in the league. It’s always interesting to see where players land and how their careers evolve after leaving a team, especially when they join organizations with different competitive outlooks and roster needs.
Ultimately, there is a sense of goodwill that follows players like Witherspoon as they move on to new opportunities. The NFL is a business, and roster turnover is inevitable, but fans often continue to support former players as long as they are not directly competing against their favorite team. In that spirit, many Seahawks supporters will likely wish Witherspoon success in Washington just not when he lines up against Seattle on game day.
As Witherspoon embarks on this new chapter with the Commanders, he brings with him years of experience, a proven ability to contribute, and the motivation to continue making an impact in the league. Whether he earns a starting role or serves as a key depth piece, his presence should add value to Washington’s defense.
At the same time, his journey serves as a reminder of the resilience required to sustain a career in the NFL, where adaptability and persistence are often just as important as raw talent.
Seattle Seahawks Have a Date for Their First Game of the 2026-27 Season
On March 25, the Seattle Seahawks made an official announcement confirming that they will host the National Football League’s opening game for the 2026 season. The highly anticipated kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, 2026, and will take place at Lumen Field in Seattle, marking a notable moment for both the franchise and the league as a whole.
The game is set to be nationally televised on NBC, with kickoff slated for 5:20 p.m. Pacific Time. While excitement is already building around the event, one key detail remains unknown; the Seahawks’ opponent. According to the NFL, that information will be revealed at a later point in the spring, leaving fans and analysts speculating about which team will have the honor of participating in such a unique season opener.
What makes this announcement particularly intriguing is the unusual scheduling. Traditionally, the NFL begins its regular season with a Thursday night game, often featuring the defending Super Bowl champions hosting a marquee opponent. However, in 2026, the league has opted to shift the opening contest to a Wednesday.
This deviation from the norm is due to a special circumstance involving two other teams the Los Angeles Rams and the San Francisco 49ers who are slated to play an international game in Australia on Thursday, September 10. That global matchup necessitated an adjustment to the traditional schedule, pushing the official season opener forward by one day.
Games played on Wednesdays are extremely rare in NFL history, making this event even more noteworthy. According to the Seahawks’ official website, there have been only four Wednesday games in the league dating back to 1950. This rarity underscores how unusual the 2026 opener will be and highlights the significance of Seattle being selected as the host for such a distinctive occasion.
By participating in this midweek matchup, the Seahawks will also achieve a unique milestone in league history. They will become just the ninth current NFL franchise to have played a game on every day of the week. This accomplishment reflects both the team’s longevity and the evolving nature of the NFL schedule, which has expanded over time to include games on various days beyond the traditional Sunday slate.
Seattle will join an exclusive group of franchises that have already reached this milestone. Among those teams are the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants, and the Washington Commanders, in addition to the Rams. Each of these organizations has, at some point, taken the field on every day from Monday through Sunday and now Wednesday will officially be checked off for Seattle as well.
This scheduling decision also reflects the NFL’s continued efforts to grow the game on a global scale and maximize its television audience. By staging an international game in Australia featuring the Rams and 49ers, the league is further expanding its reach beyond the United States. At the same time, moving the season opener to Wednesday ensures that both games can receive standalone attention, rather than competing for viewership on the same evening.
For Seahawks fans, the opportunity to host the league’s first game of the season is a significant honor. Opening night games typically carry a heightened level of excitement and visibility, setting the tone for the months ahead. Lumen Field, known for its energetic crowd and loud atmosphere, will provide a fitting stage for such a high profile event. The stadium has long been regarded as one of the most challenging environments for opposing teams, and that reputation will only add to the anticipation surrounding the matchup.
Although the identity of Seattle’s opponent remains a mystery for now, the announcement alone has already generated considerable buzz. Fans are eager to see which team will travel to Seattle for this historic contest and how the Seahawks will perform under the national spotlight. The eventual reveal, expected later in the spring, will likely intensify that excitement even further.
In addition to the opener, fans across the league are also looking ahead to the release of the full 2026 NFL schedule. That comprehensive slate of games is expected to be unveiled in May, providing a clearer picture of each team’s path through the upcoming season. Until then, the Seahawks’ Wednesday night kickoff stands as one of the few confirmed details, offering a glimpse of what promises to be another compelling year of NFL action.
Overall, the decision to have Seattle host the season opener on a Wednesday represents a blend of tradition and innovation. While it breaks from the league’s usual scheduling format, it also highlights the NFL’s willingness to adapt in order to accommodate international games and create unique viewing experiences.
For the Seahawks, it’s an opportunity to make history, join an exclusive club of teams, and kick off the 2026 season in front of a national audience all under the bright lights of Lumen Field.
Draft Time for the Seattle Seahawks
The NFL Draft is quickly approaching, and anticipation continues to build across the league. In a feature published on Tuesday, March 24, for ESPN, NFL analyst Field Yates shared his early projections for how the first wave of selections could unfold. Drawing on his evaluations of talent, team needs, and insights gathered from league sources, Yates provided a snapshot of what the opening two rounds might look like if the draft were held today.
Yates made it clear that these projections are still very much a work in progress. With pro days just getting underway across the country and teams continuing to finalize their evaluations, there is still plenty of time for boards to shift.
However, he emphasized that it is still reasonable to begin forming expectations based on the information currently available. By combining his own rankings with feedback from decision makers around the NFL, Yates constructed a preliminary outlook that offers fans an early sense of direction for their favorite teams.
When it comes to the Seattle Seahawks, Yates predicts the franchise will focus on strengthening its secondary. Specifically, he has Seattle selecting Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the No. 32 overall pick. The choice reflects both the team’s roster situation and Terrell’s rising profile as a defensive back prospect.
Terrell, who played his college football at Clemson Tigers football, is coming off an impressive final season that showcased his disruptive abilities. Yates pointed out that Terrell demonstrated a knack for creating turnovers, forcing five fumbles during the 2025 season after recording three the year before. That level of production highlights not only his physicality but also his instincts and awareness on the field traits that are highly valued at the professional level.
In addition to his on field performance, Terrell’s football pedigree also stands out. He is the younger brother of A. J. Terrell, a standout cornerback for the Atlanta Falcons. That connection adds another layer of intrigue to his profile, as teams often take note of players who come from families with established NFL success.
Yates also described Terrell as a naturally gifted coverage corner, someone who is comfortable matching up against opposing receivers and holding his own in a variety of defensive schemes.
His skill set, according to Yates, could allow him to step into a meaningful role relatively quickly at the next level. For Seattle, that could mean helping to fill the void left by Riq Woolen, particularly in terms of defensive snaps that may now be available in the secondary rotation.
Overall, while Yates’ mock draft remains an early projection, it provides insight into how analysts currently view both team needs and incoming talent. For the Seahawks, the potential addition of a player like Terrell would signal a continued emphasis on building a strong, playmaking defense something that has long been a cornerstone of the franchise’s identity.
