Commanders veteran quietly battling for contract with his future on the line

The Washington Commanders made several bold additions this offseason. They also retained most of the valuable contributors who gave so much to the cause in 2025.

One re-signed player has the chance for more. And this will be based squarely on his performance levels during the upcoming campaign.

The Commanders took a chance on Noah Igbinoghene last spring. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. worked with the cornerback during their time with the Dallas Cowboys, and they believed there was still some untapped potential left in the former first-round pick.

They were right. Igbinoghene embraced the challenge and put together the finest season of his professional career. It wasn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but it was more than enough to suggest that the Auburn product has finally turned a corner.

Noah Igbinoghene needs to kick on again after signing new Commanders deal

Washington gave Igbinoghene a one-year, $1.5 million deal with a $100,000 signing bonus and $500,000 guaranteed this offseason. That was a huge vote of confidence in the player, but the Commanders also hedged their bets by strengthening the cornerback unit mightily in free agency and the draft.

The Commanders signed two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones. They spent the No. 61 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft on Trey Amos. Mike Sainristil is a superstar in waiting, and hopes are high that four-time Pro Bowl corner Marshon Lattimore can return to his old form after finally recovering from his hamstring issue.

Igbinoghene got another deal, but he's also further down the pecking order. That's the size of the task awaiting the defensive back this summer. Even so, he's at least got some momentum to build upon.

Washington rewards those who prove their worth. Adam Peters demonstrated that earlier this year. He brought another example to the fore by extending veteran special-teams ace Jeremy Reaves ahead of time. He'll do the same with second-team All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin eventually.

While Igbinoghene isn't in the same priority bracket as McLaurin, he's got a fighting chance of another extended stay. It's also worth remembering that he's only 25 years old with a lot of good football left in the tank.

What comes next is down to Igbinoghene. If he demonstrates the right improvements and performs well when called upon in 2025, the Commanders would be wise to keep him around.

If not, he'll be searching for alternative employment next spring.

More Commanders news and analysis