Adam Peters understood the original assignment.
Massive transformations were underway within the Washington Commanders organization when Peters was hired as the team’s general manager in January. New ownership wanted to return the franchise with three Lombardi Trophies to Super Bowl contender status after becoming a league-wide punching bag this century.
Six months after taking control, managing partner Josh Harris would finally have a chance to inject needed fixes. Having been part of a recent turnaround with the San Francisco 49ers, Peters arrived with a similar mentality.
“I find this a very similar situation from the one we had in San Francisco in 2017 — a lot of great similarities. … Ultimately, we’re going to build through the draft here and supplement through free agency,” Peters said at his introductory news conference. “We’re going to be very process-driven and diligent in who we select in free agency. But we’re going to build through the draft here.”
Acquiring cornerback Marshon Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline shows that Peters recognized the assignment had changed.
Washington added the four-time Pro Bowler and a 2025 fifth-round pick from New Orleans in exchange for 2025 third- and fourth-round picks. The Saints also received back the sixth-rounder sent to the Commanders in August for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III.
Even a few weeks into the season, picturing the current reality — Washington’s 7-2 record outpacing the entire conference except 7-1 Detroit — was beyond comprehension.
Sunday’s 27-22 road victory over the New York Giants was the Commanders’ third consecutive win and seventh in eight games. This surge and a conference lacking top-heavy teams changed the landscape. After assessing the cost benefits, Washington became aggressive on Tuesday for Lattimore, according to a league source close to the situation. The Commanders beat out the undefeated and back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for the cornerback under contract through 2026, per a league source.
The Commanders made moves this offseason to support that long-term vision. Dan Quinn, a tough-minded, defense-centric people-person, was hired as head coach. Washington changed over half the roster, emphasizing cost-effective, high-character veterans who have played in winning cultures.
Peters then made nine draft selections, headlined by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the second overall pick. He also added future-year picks by trading 2022 first-round wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles and Ridgeway to the Saints. No new course was set even as Daniels became the talk of the league and Washington’s offense turned into an efficient scoring machine (29.2 points per game).
Questions remained at several starting spots, namely on defense. Though increasingly cohesive when facing weaker foes, Washington ranks 26th in DVOA (defensive-adjusted value over average). Cornerback was at the top of the needs list.
There was a primary rotation of Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil and Noah Igbinoghene. St-Juste, a solid fourth-year player, was overmatched against opposing No. 1 receivers. Sainristil, a feisty but undersized second-round rookie, was drafted to play inside but turned into the other outside corner by default. And 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes Jr., selected by the previous front office, has not improved after a trying rookie campaign. Veteran Michael Davis fell out of the rotation in September.
Enter Lattimore, a former Ohio State teammate of Washington receivers Terry McLaurin and Noah Brown. Selected in the 2017 first round by the Saints, the 6-foot defender earned his first Pro Bowl selection the same season he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He tacked on three more Pro Bowl nods by 2021, only to miss 19 games over the next three seasons. That includes two in 2024 with a hamstring injury.
If healthy, Lattimore becomes Washington’s No. 1 corner. His presence improves chances against upcoming wide receivers such as A.J. Brown and CeeDee Lamb, and his entrance allows St-Juste and Sainristil to play more natural roles. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. can play more aggressive man coverage schemes with Lattimore. That should enable more bodies to aid the 29th-ranked run defense, without hopefully altering the camaraderie that’s played a prominent role in the team’s turnaround.
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The bonus with Lattimore is this acquisition goes beyond this season. His cost includes salaries for 2025 ($16 million) and 2026 ($16 million) from a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension signed in 2021. The lack of guaranteed money on the remaining years means Washington could bail after this season. Still, outside of injuries curtailing his effectiveness, that’s not happening after trading away picks the reeling Saints (2-7) were thrilled to accept.
The lack of guaranteed money suggests Lattimore’s agent will likely seek a revised deal. Doing so would also reduce Lattimore’s salary-cap hit from the current $31.66 million in 2025. Peters won’t have an issue if the cornerback solves recent concerns at a cornerstone position. Washington opened a roster spot by releasing defensive lineman Efe Obada.
Peters will still have seven draft picks remaining in 2025, including the Miami Dolphins’ third-rounder received from the Eagles in the Dotson trade, and significant salary-cap space. That’s enough to continue building while taking advantage of Daniels playing on a rookie contract.
At some point, Washington would need to acquire significant cornerback help. This 7-2 record and Daniels’ shine accelerated the retooling job. In the end, Peters accepted the new assignment.
(Photo: Gerald Herbert / Associated Press)
