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 Cornerback Marshon Lattimore The Washington Commanders are set to release cornerback Marshon Lattimore, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This follows the team’s earlier decision to part ways with center Tyler Biadasz, a player deemed too expensive for the 2026 season. Lattimore, a former Pro Bowler, will turn 30 in May, raising questions about his long-term viability in the league. Despite his age, Lattimore’s production last season suggests he remains a valuable asset. Lattimore, the 11th overall pick in the 2017 draft, played a significant role in the Commanders’ defensive strategy. Last year, he logged more outside cornerback snaps than 62 other players, even after missing eight games due to an ACL tear. Among the 63 corners who played as many snaps as him, Lattimore ranked 25th in yards allowed per coverage snap, a key metric for evaluating cornerbacks. While his ACL injury complicates his readiness for the 2025 season, his pre-injury performance highlights his effectiveness. The Commanders’ decision to release Lattimore is tied to financial considerations. By cutting him, the team will save $18.5 million in salary cap space, which will also prevent him from becoming a “qualifying free agent” this offseason. This means if the Green Bay Packers sign him, he won’t impact their potential compensatory draft picks, which they are projected to receive if key players like Rasheed Walker, Romeo Doubs, Malik Willis, and Quay Walker leave the team. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur’s relationship with Washington head coach Dan Quinn, who previously coached LaFleur in Atlanta, may influence the Packers’ interest in Lattimore. However, the timing of Lattimore’s injury complicates matters.#green_bay_packers #washington_commanders #adam_schefter #marshon_lattimore #brian_gutekunst
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
Washington Commanders to Release Cornerback Marshon Lattimore, Save $18.5M The Washington Commanders have informed cornerback Marshon Lattimore that he will be released before the new league year begins next week, according to sources. This decision was anticipated following Lattimore’s season-ending injury in November. The move will free up $18.5 million in salary cap space for the team, which currently holds the fifth-largest cap room in the league. Washington is expected to be active in the free agent market, particularly targeting cornerbacks, as per league sources. Lattimore, 29, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee during Week 9 of the 2025 season, missing the remainder of the year. He had played in every game prior to the injury. The Commanders acquired him from the New Orleans Saints in a trade at the 2024 draft deadline, sending three picks—third, fourth, and sixth rounders—to New Orleans in exchange for a fifth-round pick. However, Lattimore’s tenure with Washington was marred by recurring injuries, including a hamstring issue that limited him to just three games in 2025. He also missed six games with the team in 2024 due to a similar hamstring problem. Despite his struggles on the field, Lattimore had a notable career. A first-round pick by the Saints in 2017, he earned four Pro Bowl selections in his first five seasons. However, since 2021, he has faced a series of setbacks, including a lacerated kidney and two broken ribs in 2022, an ankle injury in 2023, and the hamstring issues that plagued him in 2024. During this span, he has not played in more than 10 games in a single season. Off the field, Lattimore faced legal trouble in January 2026 when he was arrested in Lakewood, Ohio, and charged with improperly handling a firearm in a vehicle.#washington_commanders #new_orleans_saints #marshon_lattimore #trey_amos #mike_sainristil