Former Ohio State cornerback Marshon Lattimore has had a solid NFL career. While he was with the Buckeyes, he was a national champ in 2014 and was named First Team All-Big Ten in 2016. He parlayed that performance into being selected 11th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Lattimore was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with the Saints. He was named to the Pro Bowl four times when he was in New Orleans. Quite frankly, he was one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL when he was with the Saints. Then he was traded to the Commanders midway through the 2024 season.
Since coming to Washington, he has been a disappointment. Injuries have caught up with him once again, as he only played 11 games in the one-and-a-half seasons with the Commanders. Now, Washington has decided that it is better off without him.
Washington Commanders will release former Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Commanders have told Lattimore that they will be releasing him. They will release him before the new league year begins, which will help save them $18.5 million against the salary cap. It's also a signal that the trade for him was an abject failure.
There's no question that Lattimore is on the downslide of his career. He now has to find a new team that will support him. However, he likely won't be guaranteed a starting spot with whatever franchise opts to pick him up. That's how poorly he has played over the last couple of years.
Lattimore will not be making as much money as he did with the Saints and the Commanders at his next stop. He is going to be fighting for a starting spot, although there are several teams that need help in the secondary. Still, Lattimore has to be careful. If he doesn't play well next season, his career could be over.
Off-field issues have played a part in Lattimore's decline, as well. He has to keep his nose clean at his next destination.