Yardbarker
x
7 Commanders whose futures in Washington feel more uncertain than ever
Washington Commanders cornerback Marshon Lattimore Michael Owens/GettyImages

The Washington Commanders have not met expectations through six games of the season. It's disjointed, with one win quickly followed by a loss. No momentum or rhythm is being legitimately generated, and some big decisions await general manager Adam Peters next spring if the same trend continues.

Peters adopted a ruthless roster-building mentality. The front-office leader is a shrewd evaluator and has no hesitation in making changes if he feels that it can benefit the franchise. That is unlikely to change in 2026, which will be his third offseason in charge.

Something feels off right now. There is still time for that to change, and being 3-3 isn't the end of the world. Dan Quinn is trying to weather the storm, especially on the injury front, but Peters will be keeping a close eye on developments as part of his long-term planning.

It'll be fascinating to see how the Commanders respond to adversity. Peters and Quinn will find out a lot more about their players in the coming months. How they perform and conduct themselves will have big-time ramifications attached.

With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players whose futures in Washington look more uncertain than ever.

Commanders players whose futures in Washington feel more uncertain than ever

Marshon Lattimore - Commanders CB

The Washington Commanders placed a massive wager on veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore, securing the four-time Pro Bowler's services via trade from the New Orleans Saints. It was the move that formally confirmed Adam Peters was ready to win now, but things haven't gone according to plan.

Lattimore was injured for his entire 2024 exploits in Washington. He played through the pain barrier, but his performance levels fell short of the required standard.

The Ohio State product is healthy this year, which is a positive. Lattimore has turned in some accomplished performances. There are also times when he gets exposed. This is not the lockdown presence of old, and the fact that Washington is playing so much zone coverage to compensate for his failings speaks volumes.

Washington is learning to take the rough with the smooth. Lattimore is a fantastic player on his best day, but the Commanders don't know what they are going to get from one game to the next. That will likely provoke a discussion about his future once the campaign concludes.

Lattimore has one year remaining on his deal in 2026. Trading or cutting him saves $18 million on the salary cap. That would be a massive gamble, but it cannot be completely ruled out if his inconsistencies continue.

Noah Brown - Commanders WR

The Washington Commanders gave Noah Brown another one-year deal during the offseason. He was productive when on the field, but a disappointing internal injury that required kidney surgery prevented him from making an impact down the stretch and into the playoffs.

This has started a concerning trend of issues. Brown got carted off with a knee problem at Washington's mandatory minicamp. This restricted his involvement throughout the summer. Still, he was able to suit up at the start of 2025.

That didn't last. Brown got hurt in Week 2 and hasn't been seen since. The Commanders gave him every chance to get healthy, but they finally admitted defeat by placing him on injured reserve before their Week 7 game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Brown can no longer be relied upon to stay healthy. Adam Peters is not constructing the roster with any sentiment. Therefore, this ongoing frustration won't go unnoticed.

Nick Allegretti - Commanders OL

A big opportunity awaited Nick Allegretti this season. He was chosen to start at the right guard spot for the injured Sam Cosmi, with Brandon Coleman switching to the left-hand interior after the Commanders struck a bombshell trade for Laremy Tunsil. Whether he could seize it was another matter.

Allegretti struggled to generate any momentum. He was entirely overwhelmed by the Green Bay Packers' defensive front in Week 2, which was all the Commanders needed to see. The veteran was benched for Andrew Wylie, and he's been on the fringes ever since.

This represents a body blow to Allegretti's chances of carving out a long career for himself in Washington. He's got another year remaining on his deal, but it doesn't look especially promising right now.

Removing Allegretti from the equation this season wouldn't be smart. But that might not be the case when the 2026 offseason arrives.

Noah Igbinoghene - Commanders CB

The Commanders' cornerback room has gone through some ups and downs to start the season. They have not yet played as a complete unit, but there is still time for that to change.

It better improve, because the Commanders are not going to get far with a suspect secondary who cannot be counted upon. All the focus is rightfully centered on Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, and second-round rookie Trey Amos. However, the steep decline of Noah Igbinoghene is an overlooked storyline that warrants a closer look.

After accumulating no fewer than 76 percent of the team's defensive snaps in 2024, the 2020 first-round pick has seen this plummet to just 10% this season. Igbinoghene has clearly lost the trust of head coach Dan Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. That's a bad sign, and it wouldn't be a great shock to see the Commanders and the player go their separate ways next spring.

Andrew Wylie - Commanders OL

The Washington Commanders have a high opinion of Andrew Wylie. He's a solid offensive lineman who's always willing to put the team first. This was no more evident than this season.

Wylie knew the writing was on the wall when Washington spent its first-round pick on offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. They'd already traded for Laremy Tunsil, so the Super Bowl winner was either going to the interior or to the bench.

It turned out to be both. Wylie was a depth piece to begin the campaign. When Nick Allegretti struggled over the two weeks, the former Eastern Michigan prospect stepped into the right guard spot. Things immediately improved, but his time as a starter is running out.

Sam Cosmi is expected to return for the Commanders' crucial clash with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 7. Wylie will go back to the fringes, and unless he's willing to accept a cheap deal, he'll be allowed to walk in free agency.

Von Miller - Commanders DE/OLB

Desperate times called for desperate measures before the season. Everyone knew that the Commanders needed another productive pass-rusher after Adam Peters didn't draft one. The general manager reacted accordingly, signing future Pro Football Hall of Fame veteran Von Miller to a one-year deal.

It's a short-term fix for a long-term issue. Miller is playing pretty well in the circumstances. He's got 3.5 sacks and 11 pressures from 38 percent of Washington's defensive snaps. His leadership in the locker room has been a significant help. At the same time, the Commanders have to get younger at some point.

Next spring could be the year Peters spends his first-round pick on an explosive edge rusher. It's projected to be a deep group once again, and there is a decent chance Miller finally calls time on his exceptional career at season's end.

Miller has fought off Father Time for long enough. And the Commanders need an injection of youthful exuberance.

Marcus Mariota - Commanders QB

Marcus Mariota remains among the league's most accomplished backup quarterbacks. He resisted the temptation to leave the Commanders in free agency, despite some experts believing he could become a starter elsewhere. That's helped Washington enormously, especially with Jayden Daniels out of the lineup for two games earlier in the campaign.

With the 2026 quarterback draft class not looking as strong as it appeared before the college football campaign began, there could be a few teams looking at Mariota as a short-term stopgap under center. If these alluring glances result in a concrete offer, will the former Oregon standout be able to turn it down?

Being a backup is one thing, but Mariota should also be eager to showcase his worth with one final chance as a starting option. He's proved capable of handling these responsibilities in the right scheme, but Washington already has its franchise player.


This article first appeared on Riggo's Rag and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!