Speculation is running rampant about how the Washington Commanders could approach the 2025 trade deadline. Adam Peters was probably hoping to be aggressive with his team in playoff contention. That hasn't occurred, which puts him in a difficult spot before the November 4 cut-off point.
Some team insiders believe Peters will stand pat. Others are touting another bold move. There is even the prospect of the front-office leader agreeing to outgoings with the Commanders at 3-5 and going nowhere fast this season. There is just no telling for sure, but a subtle clue emerged during Washington's defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football.
There was some surprise among fans when Noah Igbinoghene was made a healthy scratch in Week 8. The cornerback played relatively well last season, but his influence has waned this time around. He's gone to the fringes — a damning indictment of his progress, given how the secondary is struggling to find the consistency it needs.
Commanders could trade Noah Igbinoghene is suitable interest arrives
There were reports earlier this year that the Commanders were shopping Igbinoghene on the trade market. Nothing materialized, but Nick Jhabvala from The Athletic believes something could happen before the 2025 deadline if suitable interest arrives.
"Dianna Russini reported in August that Washington was, at the time, shopping cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, a first-round pick in the 2020 draft who has played a reserve role for the Commanders the last two seasons. He’s one of only a few pending free agents under the age of 27 (he’ll be 26 in November). The Commanders clearly found no takers then — or perhaps none willing to offer enough for their liking — and it isn’t clear that Igbinoghene’s played at a high enough level to warrant more interest now. But a team in need of cornerback depth could feel otherwise."Nicki Jhabvala
The Commanders aren't blessed with great cornerback depth. Marshon Lattimore is inconsistent at best. Mike Sainristiil has regressed from his rookie efforts. Second-round rookie Trey Amos remains a bright spot amid the chaos. Jonathan Jones is now back from injury, and Washington also has Antonio Hamilton Sr. on the books.
Igbinoghene might be the odd man out. He's closely connected to Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. during their time together on the Dallas Cowboys, but Peters is not running the football operation with any sentiment. If he gets an acceptable (or any) offer for the 2020 first-round pick out of Auburn, he'll probably consider it.
Again, it would be surprising — mainly because there might not be much of a market for Igbingohene. But as last year proved, anything can happen at this time of year.