Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore
Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore | Logan Bowles
The Washington Commanders started their 2025 season on the right foot, beating the New York Giants to begin their quest towards a Super Bowl run.
Several storylines stood out in the victory. Perhaps most notably (and surprisingly), the Commanders’ defensive line was dominant. Daron Payne and free agent acquisition Javon Kinlaw — two players who have been scrutinized for their high-priced contracts — were both worth every penny during a dominant afternoon at the office.
Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt made the immediate impact every Commanders fan was hoping for, and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. looked like his 2021 second-team All-Pro self. But it was another veteran acquired via trade who quietly held it all together.
Marshon Lattimore showcased his importance to the Commanders in Week 1
Second-year star wide receiver Malik Nabers was high on the list of players the Commanders knew they couldn’t let beat them, and he did not. The LSU product caught five passes for 71 receiving yards, giving the New York Giants solid production on a surface level. But he reeled in fewer than half of his 12 targets from quarterback Russell Wilson.
At least a couple of those incomplete passes came courtesy of Lattimore, who was paired with Nabers for much of the afternoon.
When Lattimore was acquired by Washington before the 2024 trade deadline, he didn’t make the impact that many fans had hoped for. This was primarily because the four-time Pro Bowler was dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, which limited him to only two regular-season contests with the Commanders. He also competed in the team’s three playoff games, but was visibly not 100 percent.
The Commanders expected Lattimore to be a better version of himself with a full summer to recuperate, as well as to properly get settled in with Washington’s coaching staff and scheme. But at 29 years old, aging by cornerback standards, there was also a fear that his best days were in the rearview mirror and that Washington’s splash for him would ultimately prove to be a mistake.
Lattimore certainly looked healthy against the Giants, which was a supreme showcase of his lockdown credentials.
Ideally, the longtime New Orleans Saints standout won’t have to carry too heavy a load. Washington also possesses two promising young corners in second-year pro Mike Sainristil and rookie Trey Amos to shoulder some significant responsibilities. For now, Lattimore is the one with the experience and the confidence to take on the Commanders’ toughest challenges.
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