Commanders fans will love what Emmanuel Forbes said about Week 1 challenge

There aren't many Washington Commanders players under more scrutiny than Emmanuel Forbes Jr. in 2024. The cornerback came into the franchise with previous head coach Ron Rivera believing he could become the genuine shutdown presence this team lacked. What followed was a torrid rookie campaign that left many wondering if the organization should have gone in a different direction.

Forbes has worked hard throughout the offseason to change this narrative. He's bulked up to cope better with the game's physical aspect. It's not been perfect all the time, but general manager Adam Peters praised the player's development since the new regime came into the fold.

What Forbes' role will be when competitive action begins in Week 1 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers remains to be seen. The Commanders aren't blessed with outstanding options in the cornerback room, so it would be wise to give the player reps to see how much his game has come on during his first offseason working with head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.

Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes is eagerly embracing Week 1 challenge

Forbes knows the margin for error is slim. This regime wasn't around when he was drafted. Peters has no problem moving on from Rivera's draft picks regardless of where they were taken. Instead of shirking the challenge, he's embracing the prospect of going up against Mike Evans and Chris Godwin - the Buccaneers' prolific wide receiver tandem - this weekend.

"Week in and week out you know you're going to go against a good receiver, so we embrace the challenge and are looking forward to it, honestly, and we're ready to take it on. We're just playing with confidence, playing fast, you know. We're building a bond and depending on each other to do our job. We're looking forward to that. [The first game] lets you know where you're at, so you've got to go out there and compete. You don't know where you're at because you haven't really played a full game or a full offense, so we're looking forward to that."

- Emmanuel Forbes Jr.

This was a bullish statement from Forbes considering how things unfolded last season when he called out the Philadelphia Eagles wideouts only to get torched by A.J. Brown. He needs to start backing this up with strong performances on the field. That's the only way confidence will rise about his chances of carving out a productive career for himself.

Forbes is at a crossroads. That sounds strange to say entering his second season, but the No. 16 overall selection in the 2023 NFL Draft is held to a higher standard. If these aren't met, the Commanders will send him to the fringes or perhaps remove him from the equation entirely before the trade deadline.

That's a worst-case scenario for Forbes. Building back confidence gradually is key. Once he proves dependable when called upon, that's when Quinn and Whitt can increase his workload. Until then, the former Mississippi State standout will likely play second-fiddle behind Benjamin St-Juste and Michael Davis on the outside.

There's no doubt Forbes has some useful athletic traits, it's about harnessing them effectively. The leash is short, so nothing but imposing himself immediately will do.

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