Earlier this week, the Steelers kept only four cornerbacks on their 53-man roster before adding Arthur Maulet back after placing Stephon Tuitt, Zach Banner and Anthony McFarland on short-term injured reserve.
But the team isn't quite done making changes to its cornerback room.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Steelers are trading for Seahawks cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon to help bolster their secondary prior to their regular season opener Sept. 12 in Buffalo. The traded Seattle a 2023 fifth-round draft pick. Defensive lineman Henry Mondeaux was released to make room on the roster. He is expected to be signed to the practice squad.
Sources: The #Seahawks are trading CB Ahkello Witherspoon to the #Steelers. A little secondary help before the opener.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 3, 2021
The Steelers were already without a fourth-round pick in 2022 after trading that during the draft to acquire a fifth-round selection used on defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk, a fifth-round pick that was sent to the Jets last season for Avery Williamson, and a sixth-round pick, as well. That selection was dealt three weeks ago to the Jaguars for linebacker Joe Schobert.
They are expected to receive at least two compensatory picks when those selections are awarded, one in the third round and one in the fifth. Those selections, however, cannot be traded yet since they have not been awarded. Contrary to some reports, sources say this trade will not affect the Steelers' compensatory pick status in 2022.
Witherspoon, a 2017 third-round pick out of Colorado, spent four seasons with the 49ers before joining the Seahawks during the first week of free agency in the spring for a one-year, $4-million deal that included a $2.5 million signing bonus.
He'll count $1.5 million against the Steelers salary cap.
At 6-foot-2, 195 pounds, Witherspoon has primarily played on the outside during his career. He has started 33 of the 47 games in which he has played, recording four interceptions, 24 passes defensed, 117 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
His signing would seem to signal that the Steelers are intent on not only playing Cam Sutton at slot cornerback, but keeping him there. The Steelers already have Joe Haden, Justin Pierre and Justin Layne as outside cornerbacks, while Maulet was brought back to be the backup to Sutton in the slot.
Sutton had worked outside throughout training camp, but bumped inside in the nickel defense when both Antoine Brooks and Maulet were injured early in the preseason. Brooks was eventually waived/injured.
According to Pro Football Reference, Witherspoon allowed just 19 completions on 32 targets last season (59.4 percent) for 177 yards, for a passer rating of 82.4.
