Washington Commanders Notify Marshon Lattimore of Impending Release

The Washington Commanders have informed veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore that he will be released prior to the start of the new league year.

The Washington Commanders have officially informed cornerback Marshon Lattimore of their intention to release him. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday, March 10, the transaction is scheduled to be finalized before the 2025 league year commences on Wednesday. This move terminates the veteran's tenure in the nation's capital after he was acquired via trade from the New Orleans Saints on November 5, 2024. The decision comes as the organization evaluates its defensive secondary and financial commitments heading into the upcoming free agency period.

Lattimore arrived in Washington during the mid-season trade deadline in exchange for a 2025 third-round pick, a fourth-round selection, and a sixth-round pick. Despite the high acquisition cost, the four-time Pro Bowler did not record a single snap for the Commanders due to a persistent hamstring injury. His final active game of the 2024 season occurred in Week 9 while still a member of the Saints, where he logged 56 defensive snaps against the Carolina Panthers. Since that November 3 appearance, the cornerback has remained sidelined, failing to pass physical examinations required for game-day activation.

The financial implications of this roster move are substantial for Washington’s front office. By processing the release before the new league year, the team avoids a $5 million roster bonus that was due to trigger on the third day of the 2025 calendar. Lattimore was originally signed to a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension with New Orleans in 2021, a deal that carried significant cap hits into the mid-2020s. Washington’s decision to cut ties now prevents further guaranteed salary obligations from vesting, providing the franchise with additional cap space to pursue alternative defensive backs.

Statistically, the 28-year-old defender leaves the NFC East without adding to his career totals of 15 interceptions and 88 pass deflections. During his seven games with the Saints in 2024, he allowed a 54.5% completion rate on targets and maintained a passer rating against of 71.4. His absence from the Commanders' lineup forced the coaching staff to rely on a rotation of Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil, and Emmanuel Forbes throughout the latter half of the season. The secondary finished the year ranked in the bottom third of the league in passing yards allowed per game.

General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn are now tasked with rebuilding a unit that struggled with consistency. The departure of the former Defensive Rookie of the Year marks the first major personnel shift of the 2025 offseason for Washington. This transaction allows Lattimore to enter the open market immediately as a street free agent, bypassing the standard waiver wire process due to his veteran status. He becomes one of the most decorated defensive players available, despite the health concerns that marred his brief stint in the District of Columbia.

Looking ahead, the Commanders hold the No. 21 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and possess significant capital to address the cornerback vacancy. The team’s defensive philosophy under Quinn emphasizes aggressive man-to-man coverage, a role Lattimore was expected to fill before his injury setbacks. With the legal tampering window opening shortly, the front office is expected to be aggressive in identifying a replacement who can provide the durability that was missing during the 2024 campaign. The official paperwork for this release will be filed with the league office in New York to ensure compliance with the March 12 deadline.