Most players who are traded over a weekend from one NFL team to another and then find themselves getting ready for a game with their new team just a couple of days later would consider it something of a whirlwind.
Not the Steelers' new cornerback, Ahkello Witherspoon.
Acquired from the Seahawks for a 2023 fifth-round draft pick on Friday, Witherspoon left Seattle Saturday, arrived in Pittsburgh later that night and showed up on Sunday for his physical to complete the deal.
Monday, he was going through his first practice with the Steelers as they prepared for their regular season opener next Sunday in Buffalo.
"I think it’s the illusion of a whirlwind," said Witherspoon. "I think the job I do and the type of grace and gratitude that I go through life with, that type of narrative doesn’t fit my truest story. I just kind of go with the flow. I’m here now, where somebody wants me to compete and help them try to win a championship. That’s what I plan to do."
Witherspoon has a lot of plans, some of which have worked out, others that haven't -- at least not yet.
He signed with the Seahawks to a one-year, $4-million deal that included a $2.5-million signing bonus in the offseason after spending the first four seasons of his career with the 49ers. San Francisco selected Witherspoon in the third round of the 2017 draft.
But things just never seemed to click in Seattle and the Seahawks last week traded for former first-round pick Sydney Jones, making Witherspoon expendable.
"I definitely felt something was off not starting in preseason," Witherspoon admitted. "I was surprised in the moment and then just thankful after that for the opportunity."
And from the look of things, he'll get an opportunity, if not right away, then at some point soon.
Witherspoon said he got plenty of snaps in the team portion of practice Monday, but wouldn't speculate if he'll be ready to play Sunday against the Bills.
The Steelers have Joe Haden and Cam Sutton slated to start that game, with Sutton bumping inside on passing downs to allow James Pierre to play on the outside, which is where Witherspoon has played throughout his career.
"Just contribute and help this team win a championship," Witherspoon said of his role with his new team. "It’s still early, Day 1 today. It’s just getting in and understanding the defense, working to solidify a role on this team and help them win a championship."
There's that goal again -- winning a championship.
Witherspoon knows a little something about that. He played on San Francisco's 2019 NFC Championship team, one that lost, 31-20, to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Witherspoon, who started 33 of the 47 career games he played in with the 49ers, didn't start that game. But he played a lot on special teams. So, he's seen first-hand what it takes to reach that pinnacle in the NFL.
But the 26-year-old, who is the grandson of blues great Jimmy Witherspoon, has plans beyond football and winning a championship.
He earned his degree in biology in the offseason and plans on being a doctor when his football career is complete.
"I’m just putting the degree on hold until it’s time to pursue medical school, which will be when my time here or other business ventures are done," Witherspoon said. "I’ll take a shot at that."
If it sounds like Witherspoon likes a challenge, it's because that seems to be who he is.
He doesn't necessarily like the easy path.
"That’s just life," he said. "I’m like on rep 1,000 of getting pushed down to the ground and I’ve got to get back up. It’s getting easier. The first one was the toughest one. I’m deep into this process of overcoming obstacles, so I’m just, ‘C’mon, let’s get it.’ I’m where I am now for a reason."
The reason right now for the Steelers is to provide experienced depth. Seattle is paying the signing bonus portion of Witherspoon's contract, so he'll count just $1.5 million against the Steelers' salary cap this season.
How much and how quickly he contributes is up to him. But the Steelers aren't necessarily giving him the crash course they gave linebacker Joe Schobert when they traded for him last month.
Schobert is expected to be in the starting lineup against the Bills. With Witherspoon, the Steelers seem to be a little more at ease in allowing him to assimilate in his own time.
"The way we’re talking about it is simple stuff to keep my brain free because a busy brain is going to slow me down on the field. I’m just kind of taking it day by day," he said. "And I’m very good at retaining information, as well. Once I get more comfortable, I’m just going to keep adding more to the book."
One thing he does like is the switch to playing more man defense. The 49ers are a big zone team. The Steelers will allow the 6-foot-2, 195-pound corner to use more of his athleticism to cover.
Witherspoon ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash and had a 40.5-inch vertical jump at the NFL Scouting Combine in 2017.
"A lot of man coverage is important for my game," Witherspoon admitted. "And then just switching it up and giving the quarterback different looks to be not predictable."
If he can pick things up well enough with the Steelers, he could see more of a role as the season wears on. In the meantime, he'll keep adjusting when life throws him a curve.
"I’m just a good football player. In this league, it’s important to have good football players on your team," Witherspoon said. "That’s why I’m here."
