Washington is formally in playoff push mode. Making one of many greatest offers of the NFL commerce deadline, the Commanders reached an settlement with the Saints for four-time Professional Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
The Commanders are sending a third spherical choose, a 4th spherical choose, and a sixth spherical choose. A relative steal for a participant of Lattimore’s caliber at a essential place.
There’s no query that 2024 has been a down yr for the Saints cornerback. A mix of defensive mismanagement and nagging accidents have resulted in a less-than-stellar season in New Orleans, however supplied Lattimore might be wholesome he’ll thrive within the Commanders scheme, which is already probably the greatest defensive models within the NFL — however one in dire want of assist in the secondary.
In the meantime for the Saints this represents numerous issues at a time of momentous change. The group fired head coach Dennis Allen earlier within the week, and have mammoth wage cap challenges shifting ahead. Lattimore finally eliminates a few of that subject, although he’ll carry such a big useless cap determine in 2025 that the group will probably be compelled to maintain Derek Carr on the roster, a participant many earmarked to be reduce or traded within the offseason.
When wholesome Lattimore is likely one of the greatest cornerbacks within the NFL. A participant so monumentally gifted that he may help form a protection. The Commanders wouldn’t have made this deal with out being assured that Lattimore’s hamstring damage is sufficiently small he’ll have the ability to compete quickly, and that would very nicely make the Commanders probably the most harmful groups within the NFC subsequent to the Lions as we method the playoffs.
It’s essential to notice that the Commanders will solely be paying Lattimore the NFL minimal for the rest of 2024 because of the cornerback’s restructured contract. This implies extra strikes might be on the horizon for Washington.
