Commanders to Release Pro Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore in $18.5M Move

The Washington Commanders will part ways with the injury-plagued cornerback to open up salary cap space.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 2:23pm

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The Washington Commanders are planning to release former Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore before the start of the new NFL league year, a move that will save the team $18.5 million in salary cap space. Lattimore, who was acquired by the Commanders in a trade deadline deal in 2024, struggled with injuries during his time in Washington, playing in only two games in 2024 due to a hamstring issue and tearing his ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 season.

Why it matters

The Commanders are looking to reconfigure their roster after a disappointing 5-12 season in 2025 that was marred by injuries across the team. Releasing the 29-year-old Lattimore, whose age and injury history no longer fit the team's timeline, will give them more flexibility to address other roster needs this offseason.

The details

Lattimore was acquired by the Commanders in a trade deadline deal in 2024, when Washington was 7-2 and looking to make an unexpected playoff push. However, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year was limited to just two games that season due to a hamstring injury, and he then tore his ACL in Week 9 of the 2025 campaign, forcing him to miss the remainder of the year.

  • The Commanders have informed Lattimore that they intend to release him before the start of the new NFL league year on March 11, 2026.
  • Lattimore won the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year award after being drafted 11th overall by the New Orleans Saints.

The players

Marshon Lattimore

A former Pro Bowl cornerback who was acquired by the Washington Commanders in a 2024 trade deadline deal but struggled with injuries during his time in Washington.

Dan Quinn

The head coach of the Washington Commanders in 2024, when the team made an unexpected run to the NFC Championship Game.

Jayden Daniels

The quarterback drafted 2nd overall by the Washington Commanders in 2024, who was named Offensive Rookie of the Year but was limited to only 7 games in 2025 due to injuries.

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What they’re saying

“Commanders have informed former Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore that they intend to release him”

— Adam Schefter, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Commanders will need to address their defensive secondary this offseason, with the release of Lattimore opening up a significant hole at cornerback.

The takeaway

The Commanders' decision to part ways with the injury-prone Lattimore is a pragmatic move to create salary cap space and reshape their roster after a disappointing 2025 season. It highlights the team's need to get younger and healthier as they look to recapture the promise they showed in 2024.