The Washington Commanders made a bold move when they traded for Marshon Lattimore under the leadership of head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters. It was a statement of intent for a team looking to shake things up. However, the gamble didn’t pay off as expected.
Lattimore, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback, was released with a year left on his contract after playing in only 11 regular-season games and three playoff appearances. His tenure in Washington was marred by injuries, including a torn ACL, which now puts his future opportunities in doubt.
Peters, reflecting on the trade, acknowledged the risks involved. During a chat with John Doran of WUSA9 at the league meetings, he explained that acquiring a top cornerback like Lattimore was a strategic move aimed at boosting their playoff prospects. Unfortunately, injuries derailed those plans.
"You make decisions with the information you have at that time. For us to make noise in the playoffs, I thought we needed to get another corner.
Marshon [Lattimore] was available. Marshon's a really good player.
Unfortunately, he ran into some injuries," Peters said.
In the world of NFL trades, risk is always part of the equation. While the Lattimore trade didn’t pan out, Peters stands by the decision-making process. He noted that sometimes moves simply don’t work out as planned.
Despite the setback, the Commanders managed to avoid a longer-term commitment to Lattimore, which saved them $18.5 million. This financial flexibility might be a small consolation, but it leaves Washington still searching for that elusive shutdown corner.
Peters has had successes too, like the trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., which have been beneficial for the team. The Lattimore situation serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of the NFL, but it won't deter Peters from making bold moves in the future.
In the NFL, it’s all about taking calculated risks. Sometimes they pay off, and sometimes they don’t. But that’s the nature of the game.