The Steelers are adding depth to their secondary.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Steelers are making a trade with the Seattle Seahawks for cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.
Steelers will give up a 2023 5th round draft pick.
Drafted in the third round of the 2017 draft by the 49ers, Witherspoon has started in 33 games (47 total games) for San Francisco before signing as a free agent with Seattle this past offseason.
The 26-year-old stand 6 feet, 2 inches tall and gives the Steelers some insurance and relief in the secondary.
Witherspoon has 117 total tackles, four interceptions with one touchdown in his career.
Pro Football Focus gave Witherspoon an 80.2 grade in 2020, 5th best cornerback overall.
Seahawks beat writer Gregg Bell reports that The Steelers will pick up the $4 million guaranteed by Seattle this year.
His base salary is $1.5 million in 2021, according to Spotrac and comes with a $2.75 cap hit.
Currently, Joe Haden lines up on the left side with Justin Layne second on the depth chart, Cam Sutton starts on the right side with James Pierre backing up.
It would appear that coach Mike Tomlin was not comfortable with Pierre and Sutton on the depth chart.