WASHINGTON — Former New Orleans Saint cornerback Marshon Lattimore is the newest member of the Washington Commanders. News broke Tuesday as the NFL trade deadline looms. Here's what you need to know about the former Defensive Rookie of the Year, and four-time Pro-Bowler.
Washington sent third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks to New Orleans and got a fifth back along with Lattimore, according to sources that spoke to the Associated Press. Lattimore, 28, has 30 tackles and two pass breakups in seven starts for the Saints.
He should start alongside fellow cornerbacks Benjamin St-Juste and rookie Mike Sainristil in a secondary that also includes impressive safeties Jeremy Chinn and Quan Martin.
The trade comes a day after the New Orleans Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen after a seven-game losing streak
The Washington Commanders are 7-2, leading the NFC East Division at the season's midpoint and positioning themselves as contenders for the top spot in the entire conference.
Tied in wins with the first-place Detroit Lions but with one more loss, the Commanders are still close in the standings. The addition of Lattimore suggests the team is gearing up for a playoff run.
We asked head coach Dan Quinn about his approach to the trade deadline.
“No. 1, [general manager] Adam [Peters] and his team and staff, they’re just like anybody else that’s part of the organization, competition's the central theme of what we do,” Quinn responded. “So if there’s a spot to do it then we would… [but it] is not something we would force upon our team in any way. That’s just not how Adam and I roll."
That means not only understanding the standard he and his coaches — and more importantly the players — have established, but also protecting it.
That approach is all part of this new Commanders franchise. One that isn’t just hungry for talent wherever it may come, but understands that this is a place where teammates are becoming brothers, and acceptance into that brotherhood requires more than your usual athletic measurables.