3 reasons why the Vikings need to sign CB Ahkello Witherspoon.

Expected to part with the Pittsburgh Steelers shortly, the Minnesota Vikings should consider signing cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon.

It's no secret the Minnesota Vikings defense still needs work. Adding new defensive coordinator Brian Flores was a great start for a unit that finished 31st in total defense. However, there still seems to be a glaring question mark surrounding the team's cornerback situation heading into the 2023 season.

The Vikings signed former Arizona Cardinals jack-of-all-trades corner in Byron Murphy Jr. during the first wave of free agency. The expectation is that Murphy is going to inherit the ultra-important slot corner spot in Flores' defense.

This leaves both outside cornerback positions up for grabs between a pair of second-year defensive backs in the form of 2022 second-rounder Andrew Booth Jr., fourth-rounder Akayleb Evans, 2023 third-round rookie Mekhi Blackmon, and former New England Patriots 2019 second-round pick Joejuan Williams.

This will be the first time in a long time that both outside cornerback positions are open heading into training camp. It goes without question; all eyes are going to be on those corners when camp opens up later this summer.

Now, the Pittsburgh Steelers have reportedly told cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon that he will be released shortly, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. Witherspoon, however, should not be out of work for long.

The corner is entering his seventh season in the league since being drafted in 2017 by the San Francisco 49ers. A short stint with the Seattle Seahawks, followed by a pair of lackluster seasons in the black and yellow has been the story of Witherspoon's career so far.

Whenever he ends up getting officially released, the Vikings should absolutely be on the phone with the former Colorado product's agent.

Let's take a look at a few reasons why Minnesota absolutely needs to add Witherspoon into the mix, beginning with the experience he can add to the secondary.