The New Year is almost upon us. And after things started so well for the Washington Commanders with a sensational 2024 playoff run to the NFC Championship game, the 2025 campaign has brought everyone associated with the franchise crashing back down to earth.
This will inevitably come with some landmark changes during the offseason. There are only three years left of quarterback Jayden Daniels' rookie contract. The time for half-measures is over; there can be no emotional attachment to anyone in pursuit of overall organizational progress.
General manager Adam Peters will have a plan in place. But all signs point to one of head coach Dan Quinn's favorites not being around in 2026.
Commanders will probably move forward without Noah Igbinoghene in 2026
Noah Igbinoghene came to Washington after working closely with Quinnn and Joe Whitt Jr. on the Dallas Cowboys. The cornerback finally began to live up to his pre-draft billing, and hopes were high that he could continue to progress in a different environment. There have been flashes of immense promise, but the consistency remains an issue holding him back.
Injury problems over the last two years saw Igbinoghene heavily involved in the defensive rotation. The 2020 first-round pick out of Auburn has given up 66.7 percent of targets thrown in his direction and a 96.7 passer rating when targeted this season. He's also missed 13.5% of his tackles, which is another major problem that won't be overlooked when it's time to decide his future.
Speculation was rampant about the Commanders shopping Igbinoghene for a trade before the season. The same rumors surfaced before the 2025 deadline, but injuries across the board meant removing anyone wouldn't have been wise. This provided the defensive back with a prolonged audition for another deal in 2026. Unfortunately, he's fallen short of the mark.
Peters is going to give this roster a complete overhaul. He's only got six draft picks right now, but the front-office leader should have north of $100 million in available salary-cap space if the required sacrifices are made.
Keeping Igbinoghene around on another short-term deal wouldn't break the bank by any stretch of the imagination. Even so, the Commanders need to use this opportunity to start fresh.
With Marshon Lattimore looking like a cut candidate and Jonathan Jones also unlikely to return, Washington's cornerback room is going to look completely different in 2026. Igbinoghene would have been a fringe player if not for health problems with key personnel. And looking at his career trajectory up to now, the 26-year-old may have reached his ceiling.
Quinn is a loyal guy. It is what makes him revered around the league and beloved in the locker room. But this decision could be out of his hands when push comes to shove.