The Washington Commanders didn't get an immediate return on their big trade for Marshon Lattimore. One NFL analyst turned up the heat with a scathing assessment of the veteran cornerback's outlook moving forward.
Adam Peters' plans changed quickly when the Commanders started winning games. The general manager recognized there was an opportunity to make a playoff push and reacted accordingly, striking an agreement with the New Orleans Saints for Lattimore before the 2024 trade deadline.
This was done with the short and long term in mind. Just as well, because it was a less-than-stellar opening to the four-time Pro Bowler's career in Washington.
Lattimore came into the franchise with a hamstring injury that he never shook off. The former first-round pick put together two exceptional performances, but he struggled to find consistency. He wasn't ever fully healthy and lost his cool when things weren't going well, especially when going up against Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Some in the media speculated whether the Commanders would cut their losses with Lattimore this offseason. Peters shut this down quickly, highlighting his importance to the team's plans and reaffirming his unwavering commitment to the Ohio State graduate.
NFL analyst questions whether Commanders should keep faith with Marshon Lattimore
Hopes are high that Lattimore's production can improve with time to recover and a full offseason under his belt. That wasn't an opinion shared by Brad Gagnon from The Bleacher Report.
The analyst proclaimed Lattimore was grossly overpaid at $18 million per season and that his best days were firmly behind him. There were also severe doubts about whether the defensive back could ever become the player that took the league by storm once upon a time again.
"The 2024 deadline acquisition didn't suddenly get it back in a new setting down the stretch in 2024, and that's unlikely to change as he [Marshon Lattimore] hasn't really been a reliable NFL presence since 2021. The 28-year-old's best days are far behind him, but he will cost Washington $18 million as the eighth-highest-paid cornerback in the league in 2025."Brad Gagnon
This is a harsh assessment that completely ignores the mitigating circumstances attached to his 2024 regression.
Lattimore was fighting a losing battle from the moment he got into the building. His fiercely competitive nature ensured he gave it a go when even remotely close to health, but something was missing. What's important for the player is regaining fitness and confidence before competitive action resumes in 2025.
The Commanders must also do their part. Dan Quinn and his coaching staff need to carefully manage Lattimore throughout their summer preparations. Nobody should expect to see him in the preseason. This is all about getting him to Week 1 in peak physical conditioning and keeping him there. Anything else is organizational malpractice.
Washington made a huge investment in Lattimore. The player will be hearing all the criticism coming his way. Harnessing this positively and using it as a source of motivation could provide enough inspiration to remind the world why he was regarded as one of the league's most prolific shutdown corners once upon a time.
If Lattimore accomplishes this feat and others in the cornerback room meet their end of the bargain, another bold postseason push won't be too far behind.