Ahkello Witherspoon has stunned the Washington Commanders by retiring from the NFL at the age of 31.

Witherspoon only signed a one-year, $1.41 million contract with the Commanders back in May but has decided he will not play out the season.

He practiced on Monday and then informed the team Tuesday morning that he was walking away from football.

The Commanders announced that Witherspoon has been put on the Reserve/Retired list. They acted quickly by signing cornerback Fabian Moreau as a replacement.

Witherspoon was selected in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers and quickly became integral to their defense.

He started 33 of 47 games with the 49ers, recording 117 tackles and four interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He also defended 24 passes.

Ahkello Witherspoon has stunned the Washington Commanders by retiring from the NFL at 31

Witherspoon practiced Monday and then informed the team Tuesday morning he was retiring

Witherspoon signed a one-year, $1.41m deal with the Commanders after three years in LA

After four years in the Bay Area, Witherspoon stayed in the NFC West and signed with the Seattle Seahawks.

However, he was traded away without ever playing a game for the Seahawks and joined the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Witherspoon played in 13 games across two seasons for the Steelers, starting seven of them. He recorded 35 tackles and four interceptions.

After leaving Pittsburgh, Witherspoon joined the Los Angeles Rams and stayed for three seasons. He signed one-year deals with Sean McVay’s team each offseason.

The most impressive season of his time in Los Angeles was in 2023 when he started all 17 games and recorded 52 tackles and three interceptions.