March 26, 2026, 1:33 p.m. PT
The mass exodus of 2025 cornerbacks from the Los Angeles Rams is complete.
Akhello Witherspoon became the fifth cornerback from last year’s roster to leave the team after the veteran signed with the Washington Commanders, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Witherspoon now joins Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, Derion Kendrick and Darious Williams as former Rams secondary pieces who left the team. Durant and Kendrick signed with the Dallas Cowboys, McCreary signed with the Detroit Lions and Williams retired.
Witherspoon’s departure wasn’t a surprise given his age, injury history and recent contracts with the team. He only played in six games in 2025 because of injuries and finished with one interception, two defended passes and eight combined tackles in those appearances. Witherspoon just turned 31, too, and had only re-joined the Rams on one-year deals in consecutive years.
His role on the team was in question, too, after the Rams added Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson in free agency. That duo will now start alongside Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in 2026.
The Rams’ decision not to bring back Witherspoon could also signal their interest in drafting a cornerback. McDuffie, Watson and Forbes Jr. aren’t a deep room heading into a huge season, so the Rams could easily add another secondary piece at some point before the start of the regular season.
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