The Washington Commanders' signing of veteran cornerback Jonathan Jones on a one-year deal adds another experienced presence to the room alongside Marshon Lattimore and Mike Sainristil. Unfortunately, this also spelled the inevitable end of Benjamin St-Juste's time with the organization.
St-Juste was another who came into the Commanders with high potential. He was a third-round pick after impressing throughout his college career with the Michigan Wolverines and Minnesota Golden Gophers. There were flashes of promise on occasion, but it was clear from a long way out that he was never going to become a long-term piece of Washington's puzzle.
He was targeted as a weak link by opposing offenses in 2023. St-Juste was technically flawed in coverage and his tackling became an ongoing frustration. Things looked bleak for the player entering the final season of his rookie deal, but head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters gave him a reprieve.
At least initially.
After earning another starting chance almost by default given the team's lack of dependable cornerback options, the same problems emerged. St-Juste was a defensive pass interference penalty waiting to happen. He was constantly picked on in key moments. This forced the Commanders to send him to the fringes.
Trading for four-time Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore before the 2024 deadline was a damning indictment of how St-Juste's performances were being perceived. The fact Washington had to move Sainristil from the slot to the boundary told fans everything they needed to know.
Commanders were right to let Benjamin St-Juste walk in free agency
St-Juste was much-maligned by Washington's fanbase. He was often scapegoated whether things were his fault or not. Now, the defensive back gets the challenge to salvage his career with an AFC playoff hopeful.
The Los Angeles Chargers signed St-Juste to a one-year deal. His size and length are traits Jim Harbaugh typically looks for in his defensive backs. He'll now get the chance to potentially fill the void left by Asante Samuel Jr., who hasn't been re-signed and surprisingly remains on the free-agent market.
This is a second chance for St-Juste to prove capable of becoming an asset. A return to his NFL sophomore form in 2022 is essential. Anything like the performance levels he displayed last season will ensure his time in the California sunshine is short-lived.
The Commanders were right to explore alternatives. Jones represents an immediate upgrade on St-Juste. He boasts more accomplished production in coverage and is an exceptional tackler. The new arrival also has two Super Bowl wins and became an exceptional leadership presence with the New England Patriots. That's going to slot seamlessly into Washington's resurgent locker room culture.
There is no room for sentiment when building a playoff contender. It's another Ron Rivera draft pick who didn't get a second deal from the Commanders. But he lasted a lot longer than most once Peters came into the fold.
Even so, the Commanders gave him countless opportunities to prove himself both under Rivera and Quinn. And aside from a few promising showings, he couldn't find the consistency required.
It'll be interesting to see if Harbaugh and Chargers' defensive coordinator Jesse Minter can get more out of St-Juste.
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