Steelers release CB Ahkello Witherspoon.

[DP39]

Ian Rapoport
@RapSheet

The #Steelers have informed veteran CB Ahkello Witherspoon that he’ll be released, source says. He started 7 games over the last two seasons.

10:25 AM · May 17, 2023 · 84.7K Views

EDIT: It's done apparently. He's been released.

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Mo' money...Mo' money...Mo' monies...

[Pabst]

Not too surprising.

I'd make a comment about CB depth, but Witherspoon was never healthy. When you miss 21 games in 2 seasons, it makes the decision that much easier.

[Pabst]

Just so no one needs to look it up: Saves $4m off the cap. Since he's on the final year of his deal, it makes no difference whether he's a pre or post-June 1 cut.

[DP39]

Just so no one needs to look it up: Saves $4m off the cap. Since he's on the final year of his deal, it makes no difference whether he's a pre or post-June 1 cut.

Thanks, Pabst.

I wonder if this move comes now based on the unexpected cap hit ($870K) we just took today with the DT, R. Wren (he wasn't making the 53), landing on IR and reducing our cap cushion some?

[Pabst]

Just so no one needs to look it up: Saves $4m off the cap. Since he's on the final year of his deal, it makes no difference whether he's a pre or post-June 1 cut.

Thanks, Pabst.

I wonder if this move comes now based on the unexpected cap hit ($870K) we just took today with the DT, R. Wren (he wasn't making the 53), landing on IR and reducing our cap cushion some?

I don't think it will? Someone can correct me if this is wrong, but only the top 51 salaries count against the Cap. The current cut off is $940k, so Wren's contract won't apply.

[Smashmouth21]

Not sure the cap savings is worth it given the unproven nature of the defensive secondary, but this shows how much the FO has soured on Witherspoon’s play. Dude totally screwed the team getting owned by Nelson Agholor, among others.

[DP39]

Just so no one needs to look it up: Saves $4m off the cap. Since he's on the final year of his deal, it makes no difference whether he's a pre or post-June 1 cut.

Thanks, Pabst.

I wonder if this move comes now based on the unexpected cap hit ($870K) we just took today with the DT, R. Wren (he wasn't making the 53), landing on IR and reducing our cap cushion some?

I don't think it will? Someone can correct me if this is wrong, but only the top 51 salaries count against the Cap. The current cut off is $940k, so Wren's contract won't apply.

Yeah, I wasn't sure if ALL IR salaries count against (subtract from) the cap -- top 51 or otherwise. I was thinking they might, but not completely sure.

[Mick]

I’m going to take it as a good sign that after the first time seeing our rookie CBs in practice, the staff went ahead and started cutting vets.

[franco32]

I’m going to take it as a good sign that after the first time seeing our rookie CBs in practice, the staff went ahead and started cutting vets.

I agree. However, why not keep Witherspoon around a little longer through OTAs to see the rookies a bit more? It wouldn't have hurt.

[Pabst]

They also just signed Luq Barcoo if that means anything?

[Steelafan77]

Actually Luq Barcoo is quite the accomplished Corner in the XFL on an otherwise bottom feeder team.
He does have some NFL experience as well so perhaps this factors in to the spoon dismissal?

https://triblive.com/sports/steelers-si ... nny-jones/

[Scunge]

There are multiple reasons why Witherspoon was cut.

First, he put together pretty horrible tape last year after the Steelers gave him a 2 year, $8 million deal. Here are the coverage stats of Witherspoon, Wallace and Pierre last season:

Witherspoon, in 4 games, 248 snaps, gave up 22 catches on 29 targets for 248 yards, 4 TDs and had 1 INT for a passer rating of 126.1

Wallace, in 15 games played, 9 games started, 709 snaps, gave up 41 catches on 77 targets for 650 yards, 3 TDs and had 4 INTs, for a passer rating of 73.0

Pierre, in 17 games played, 2 games started, 260 snaps, gave up 13 catches on 31 targets, for 181 yards, 1 TD and had 1 INT, for a passer rating of 58.7

Witherspoon and Pierre had the same number of snaps practically but look at how poorly Witherspoon fared in coverage. Wallace after a rough start played fine, he is a nice depth piece.

Second that $4 million salary is unacceptable for a guy that may be 5th or 6th on the depth chart. Figure Peterson, Porter, Wallace, Trice are locks for the first 4 spots, Spoon was fighting with Pierre for that #5 spot.

Thirdly, Witherspoon doesn't really play special teams. In 13 games as a Steeler he had 33 snaps on special teams. Jame Pierre for reference had nearly 200 snaps last season on special teams and has 667 ST snaps in 3 seasons. Even if he was say the 5th CB on the depth chart, would he be active on game day? Probably not because he isn't a special teamer.

I see the Steelers cutting Gunner, Montravius Adams too. I had roughly figured that they could free up $7-7.5 million by cutting Maulet/Gunner/Adams/Witherspoon. Two down, two to go.

[Mick]

Normally default assumption for a 7th rounder is he gets cut and we try (and fail) to get him on practice squad.

Right now, our depth chart is probably fine. But say Peterson or maybe Peterson + Wallace end up on IR in camp?

Our non-rookie depth chart would then be…
Pierre/Sullivan/Harper
?

Sullivan’s contract tells me 32 teams believe you don’t want him taking snaps from scrimmage. And maybe they like Pierre. But again I interpret this as a lot of confidence in the rookie CBs being capable of good snaps.

As for Witherspoons bad coverage #s in just a few games playing injured last season, I’d note another DB that had a worse stretch. Gave up 130ish yards on 7/7 targets, 3 TDs no picks obviously for a max QB rating of 158.3 over two games before his team gave up on him and traded Minkah to the Steelers.

[yygy]

Witherspoon started out kind of promising. Then this year he was more exposed than AB at a hotel swimming pool.

It’s just the bar at CB is so low. Let’s hope that turns around with Porter