The Washington Commanders have informed veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore of their intention to release him prior to the start of the new league year, marking the end of an unsuccessful and costly two-year stint aimed at bolstering the team’s secondary. This decision comes as no surprise, particularly due to the financial rationale behind it—the Commanders are set to save $18.5 million in salary cap space.
Lattimore was originally acquired from the New Orleans Saints for significant draft capital, yielding three picks in the 2025 draft, including a third, fourth, and sixth-rounder. At the time of the trade in November 2024, the Commanders were riding high with a 7-2 record, fueled by hopes of a playoff run. The defense, however, particularly the secondary, was a notable weak point, having allowed a league-worst 14.2 percent explosive play rate through Week 9 of that season. Ultimately, Washington finished the season with the sixth-highest rate at 12.1 percent.
The Commanders had hoped that Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl player and the NFL’s 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year, would strengthen their defense upon recovery from a hamstring injury. Although he showed potential in his initial start against the Saints—being untested in coverage—his performance rapidly declined, culminating in a series of penalties that overshadowed his contributions during his tenure.
Despite a rocky adjustment to the Commanders’ defensive scheme, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn held onto a shred of optimism for Lattimore’s future contributions. Peters emphasized the challenges of integrating into a new team while recovering from injury, suggesting that Lattimore’s struggles were partly due to those circumstances.
The 2025 season offered glimpses of the talent the Commanders anticipated, but Lattimore’s potential was overshadowed by the overall difficulties faced by the defense, particularly in the secondary. Often seen lagging behind his assignments, Lattimore ended up with a team-high seven defensive penalties and an early season-ending ACL injury in Week 9, further sealing his fate.
In a recent turn of events, Lattimore encountered legal issues after being arrested in Ohio for failing to disclose a concealed weapon, a situation his attorney characterized as a “misunderstanding.” Given these developments, his exit from the team appeared inevitable.
As the Commanders pivot towards a comprehensive rebuild, particularly on defense, new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is set to implement fresh strategies aimed at rejuvenating a secondary fraught with struggles. This transition follows two disappointing years under Joe Whitt Jr., with a focus on enhancing key defensive metrics such as turnover margins and takeaways.
Head coach Dan Quinn has acknowledged the team’s needs going forward, expressing a commitment to playing aggressively and ambitiously as they seek to revitalize their defensive outlook. The release of Lattimore symbolizes a fresh start for both the player and the organization as they look to move forward and improve in the seasons ahead.