49ers and Brandon Aiyuk in Trade Stalemate as NFL Draft 2026 Looms The San Francisco 49ers and wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk remain locked in a trade stalemate as the 2026 NFL season approaches, with both sides delaying decisions amid financial and contractual considerations. ESPN’s Dan Graziano reported that the 49ers have not moved Aiyuk, who last played in 2024, due to the team’s plan to release him before he earns his full salary for the 2026 season. Graziano noted that teams are hesitant to act because they anticipate the 49ers will eventually cut Aiyuk, making it advantageous to wait for a potential trade or free-agent opportunity. The 49ers’ decision to void Aiyuk’s 2026 guaranteed salary of $24.94 million last summer, following his absence from team-mandated rehab for a knee injury that ended his 2024 season, has created flexibility. This move, made before Aiyuk spent the entire 2025 season on the sidelines, means the team could either trade him before June 1 or cut him, incurring about $2 million in dead cap penalties. However, if the 49ers keep Aiyuk past September 1 without exercising his 2026 option bonus, his salary would rise to approximately $26 million in 2027, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. Wagoner highlighted that the 49ers are unlikely to retain Aiyuk beyond September, and any trade would require him to agree to a restructured contract with the acquiring team. This complicates negotiations, as teams interested in acquiring Aiyuk may prefer to wait until he is released by the 49ers. At that point, they could offer him a new contract without sacrificing draft picks. Aiyuk’s last fully healthy NFL season was in 2023, during which he recorded 1,342 receiving yards in 16 games.#san_francisco_49ers #washington_commanders #adam_peters #brandon_aiyuk #nfl_draft_2026
Washington Commanders to Release Four-Time Pro Bowl Cornerback Marshon Lattimore The Washington Commanders have decided to part ways with cornerback Marshon Lattimore, ending his tenure with the team before the start of the new league year on March 11. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Monday that the team had notified Lattimore of his release, which effectively eliminates his $18.5 million salary cap hit for the 2026 season. The move marks the end of a contract that was set to expire after this season. Lattimore was acquired by the Commanders in a trade during the 2024 NFL season, when the team sent third-, fourth-, and sixth-round draft picks to the New Orleans Saints in exchange for the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback. The acquisition was part of a broader effort to strengthen the roster, following the team’s unexpected run to the NFC championship game two seasons prior. However, Lattimore’s impact in Washington has been limited by recurring injuries and inconsistent performance. In 2024, Lattimore played in just two games for the Commanders after the trade, sidelined by a hamstring injury. His return to action was cut short in November when he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, further hampering his ability to contribute. Prior to the injury, his performance had already been subpar, as he allowed a 93.3 passer rating when targeted in coverage during the 2024 season. This figure ranked as his second-worst statistical output of his career, highlighting his struggles to maintain the level of play that earned him Pro Bowl recognition. Compounding his challenges, Lattimore faced legal issues in January 2026 when he was arrested in Ohio and charged with a felony related to improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and carrying concealed weapons.#washington_commanders #adam_schefter #new_orleans_saints #marshon_lattimore #adam_peters
Washington Commanders to Release Veteran Cornerback Marshon Lattimore The Washington Commanders have decided to release veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the start of the new league year, ending a two-year tenure that proved to be a costly misstep for the team. The move, confirmed by a league source, marks the conclusion of a failed attempt to strengthen the secondary, which had long been a weakness for the franchise. The decision is expected to free up $18.5 million in salary cap space, a significant financial benefit for a team in the midst of a rebuild. Lattimore’s struggles since joining the Commanders, combined with the team’s overall defensive shortcomings, made the release inevitable. Lattimore was acquired in November 2024 as part of a trade that saw the Commanders give up multiple draft picks, including a 2025 third-, fourth-, and sixth-round selection, along with a fifth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. The trade occurred when the Commanders were 7-2 and positioned for a deep playoff run, but their secondary remained their weakest unit. Through Week 9 of the 2024 season, Washington’s defense had allowed a league-high 14.2 percent explosive play rate to opponents, a statistic that dropped slightly to 12.1 percent by the season’s end. The Commanders hoped Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year, would provide immediate upgrades to their back end. However, Lattimore’s integration into the team was hindered by a hamstring injury he suffered with the Saints earlier in the season. Despite his reputation as a seasoned player, his performance with the Commanders was inconsistent. His first start against the Saints in Week 15 showed promise, as he was not targeted by his former team, but his struggles quickly became apparent.#washington_commanders #marshon_lattimore #adam_peters #daronte_jones #lakewood_ohio
Washington Commanders to Release CB Marshon Lattimore The Washington Commanders are set to release cornerback Marshon Lattimore, a decision that will free up $18.5 million in salary cap space for the 2026 season. The move, which had been anticipated since the end of last season, avoids the need for an injury settlement related to Lattimore’s torn ACL against the Seahawks in early November. The team previously had $71,284,969 in available cap space before this transaction, according to Overthecap. General manager Adam Peters acquired Lattimore at the 2024 trade deadline in exchange for third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks in the 2025 draft, along with a 2025 fifth-round pick from the New Orleans Saints. The trade occurred while Lattimore was still recovering from a hamstring injury, which limited his availability with the team. He did not play in the first four games of the season and only suited up for two regular-season contests and all three playoff games. Lattimore started every game last season until his Week 9 injury sidelined him. The release of Lattimore is now finalized, with recent legal issues involving gun charges appearing to seal his departure. The Commanders now face the challenge of bolstering their secondary, as their current options include Mike Sainristil, who had a disappointing season, and rookie Trey Amos, whose career was cut short by a broken leg. The team also made changes to their coaching staff, firing defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and hiring Daronte Jones to implement his system. The move underscores the team’s focus on addressing defensive weaknesses while managing financial constraints. With Lattimore’s departure, the Commanders will need to add at least one more cornerback to strengthen their secondary ahead of the 2026 season.#washington_commanders #new_orleans_saints #seahawks #marshon_lattimore #adam_peters
