Fabian Moreau is heading back to where his career began. The veteran cornerback signed with the Commanders on Tuesday, per a team announcement.
In a corresponding move, fellow corner Ahkello Witherspoon has been moved to the reserve/retired list. That transaction comes as a surprise. Tashan Reed of the Washington Post notes Witherspoon was taking first-team reps during training camp as recently as yesterday.
Witherspoon, 31, played for the Rams from 2023-25 but signed with the Commanders on a one-year deal in March. Depth in the secondary was an area of concern through much of the spring for Washington, a team which signed free agent Rasul Douglas last month.
Moreau played his first four seasons in the nation’s capital, making 18 combined starts over that span. The former third-rounder later saw time with the Falcons, Giants, Broncos and Vikings. Today’s deal will not only see Moreau return to Washington but it will allow him to continue working with Daronte Jones. Jones was hired by the Commanders to serve as their new defensive coordinator after a spell on Minnesota’s staff.
Moreau has seen time as a full-time starter at times during his career, but he occupied a depth role during his Vikings tenure. Given the timing of this agreement, a backup gig can be expected with the Commanders. Washington entered Tuesday with over $43MM in cap space, so replacing Witherspoon with Moreau will not significantly alter the team’s ability to make other roster moves leading up to Week 1.
The Commanders signed Witherspoon to a one-year, $1.4MM deal that included $125K guaranteed. He was attempting to play a 10th NFL season. The 49ers drafted Witherspoon during John Lynch and Adam Peters‘ first offseason in San Francisco. Now Washington’s GM, Peters took a flier on the experienced cover man. Witherspoon’s career looks to be over after 64 starts.
Seattle signed Witherspoon in 2021 but traded him to Pittsburgh before the season. The Steelers rostered Witherspoon for two seasons, and the Rams — after trading Jalen Ramsey in 2023 — gave him 17 starts that season. He will retire with just more than $16MM in career earnings.
