The Washington Commanders kicked off their ambitious plan to win a Super Bowl during the 2024 offseason. But their first significant statement of intent was to acquire Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the trade deadline last year.
This was a risky gamble from general manager Adam Peters, but Lattimore's accomplished previous production was expected to transform Washington's fortunes in the secondary. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan. And now, their offseason decision on the player's fate may have become even easier.
According to 19 News Cleveland, Lattimore was arrested on suspicion of carrying concealed weapons in Northeast Ohio. He was released pending further investigation. It is the second time he has been arrested for this violation; his first was in 2021.
Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore's offseason has not started well
The Commanders released a statement about the arrest, saying they were aware of the matter, had informed the NFL, and were gathering additional information before commenting further.
"We have been made aware of the arrest and are gathering more information. We have informed the NFL League Office and have no further comment at this time."Washington Commanders spokesperson
According to Scott Abraham of 7News DC, Lattimore was a passenger in a vehicle that was stopped for expired license plates and other traffic violations. The Ohio State product then failed to tell an officer that there was a firearm in the vehicle when asked.
The Lakewood Police Department will issue him a criminal misdemeanor citation, charging Lattimore with Improperly Handling Firearms in a Motor Vehicle. He is expected to be in court next week.
Lattimore's disappointing season ended with a torn ACL against the Seattle Seahawks. Most thought he would be a candidate for release during the offseason. JP Finlay from NBC Sports thought this concerning development would expedite the process.
Washington was likely releasing Marshon Lattimore anyway, almost $19M in cap savings and no dead money, but this was expedite things https://t.co/Io4FpQMIMA
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 8, 2026
In truth, Lattimore's future beyond 2025 was already a foregone conclusion. The Commanders would save $18.5 million on their salary cap and avoid dead-money ramifications by releasing him with one year remaining on his contract. That was a no-brainer even before his arrest. But as Finlay stated, this could speed things up from Washington's standpoint.
Head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have preached the importance of building the right culture. After so many scandals under the previous owner, they are also running a tight ship.
Releasing kicker Brandon McManus swiftly after sexual misconduct allegations was the first incident. This is another, and Lattimore can expect something similar to come his way in the not-too-distant future.
This was a swing and a miss for the Commanders. Lattimore's hamstring injury prevented him from making any real impact during his first season. When he got back to full health, opposing offenses targeted him as a weak link downfield with great success.
Poor coverage, lapses in concentration, and poor technique were rife in his game. Lattimore was no longer a shutdown presence, and it would be a massive shock if he was still around in 2026.
And where Lattimore's career goes from there is anyone's guess.