There will be no wait into the summer or even after the summer this time around, as the Rams agreed to a one-year contract to bring cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon back to Los Angeles, the team announced Wednesday.
Witherspoon was a late addition to the Rams ahead of training camp in 2023, and despite some important contributions that season, was not brought back until the 2024 campaign had already begun as the cornerback room suffered a series of injuries.
The veteran corner was used sparingly to begin the year, but took over a starting job in Week 15 and held onto it the rest of the season, starting both playoff games for the Rams. In that span, he allowed 22 receptions on 32 targets with six pass breakups, while frequently tailing the opposing offense’s top receiver.
He also made the game-sealing interception in the final minute against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17, a victory that helped the Rams clinch the NFC West crown a day later via tiebreaker.
With Witherspoon back in the fold, the Rams will return their same top three corners from last season, pairing him with Cobie Durant and Darious Williams. The Rams also added former first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes via waivers last season, and bring back undrafted free agents Josh Wallace and Charles Woods at corner.
Landman happy to be back in California
When linebacker Nate Landman decided to accept the Rams’ one-year contract offer Tuesday, several factors went into the decision.
Consecutive playoff appearances played a role. So did his connections to the coaching staff after spending 2024 under Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake, former Rams assistants who served as the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach and defensive coordinator last season.
The cherry on top, then, was the possibility of returning to California, where he grew up after moving from Zimbabwe as a child.
“Coming back home was a clear choice,” Landman told reporters over Zoom on Wednesday. “Just super excited to be here, super grateful for the opportunity and excited to get rolling.”
With Lake now back with the Rams as a senior defensive assistant, Landman feels like he’ll be able to make a smooth transition to his new defense. Rams coordinator Chris Shula worked under Morris with the Rams and has kept key elements of the scheme in place.
“I am excited to have some familiarity with the defense, knowing kind of how we want to attack offenses, some of the scheme stuff, some of the verbiage,” Landman said. “So I think that’ll make an easy transition for me.”