Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
It was a shock at the time, but now that a major development in the timeline is on the way, the New Orleans Saints’ trade that sent cornerback Marshon Lattimore to the Washington Commanders clearly has a winner.
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Commanders have informed Lattimore that he will be released, sending the 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year to free agency. There were numerous reports that the move was expected, but now it appears to be official.
The news comes nearly two months after Lattimore was arrested on possible weapons charges in Ohio. His second such weapons-related situation of his career.
New Orleans received a trio of draft selections in return for Lattimore. The Commanders sent over third-, fourth- and sixth-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft to land the four-time Pro Bowler.
The Saints turned those picks into:
- Round 3, Pick 93: Virginia S Jonas Sanker
- Round 4, Pick 131: Louisville CB Quincy Riley
- Round 6, Pick 184: Kansas RB Devin Neal
Collectively, the three players saw 1,682 snaps as rookies in 2025. Latimore spent only 521 snaps on the field in 2025 along with 277 in 2024. Washington also received a fifth-round selection in the trade with New Orleans, which was used as a part of the package sent to the San Francisco 49ers to acquire wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
While Samuel was productive last year for the Commanders, tallying 72 receptions for 727 receiving yards and five touchdown catches, the Saints landed two defensive starters and a talented running back to add to their committee approach.
Meanwhile, Lattimore, after just 11 regular season game appearances, is headed to free agency.
