Another notable name has entered the free-agent market.
The Washington Commanders have informed veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore that he will be released, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Lattimore spent the past season-plus in Washington after being acquired from the New Orleans Saints ahead of the 2024 trade deadline. The 2017 first-round pick appeared in 11 games for the Commanders, recording 31 tackles, 10 passes defensed, one interception and a fumble recovery.
From a financial standpoint, the move was straightforward. With one year remaining on his contract, releasing Lattimore clears $18.5 million in cap space for Washington without incurring any dead money. Armed with one of the league’s top-five cap reserves, the Commanders are positioned to reshape a roster that stumbled to a disappointing 5–12 finish.
Performance also factored into the decision. Before suffering a torn ACL in Week 9, Lattimore’s play had dipped from the Pro Bowl standard he established earlier in his career. His 51.2 coverage grade and 52.1 overall defensive grade were career lows and ranked near the bottom among qualifying cornerbacks last season.
As Washington looks to reset a secondary that finished 28th against the pass in 2025, change appears inevitable. While Mike Sainristil returns after leading the team in interceptions, four other cornerbacks are set to hit free agency.
Lattimore, who turns 30 in May, now heads to the open market in search of his third NFL team. Though still rehabbing his knee and no longer the shutdown presence he once was, the four-time Pro Bowler brings experience and instincts that could make him an appealing veteran addition—particularly as a depth piece in the right defensive system.
