Marshon Lattimore trade abruptly ends Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s costly experiment.

Emmanuel Forbes Jr.'s future with the Washington Commanders was in jeopardy heading into the 2024 season. The new regime was willing to give him another chance even though the cornerback seemed overwhelmed. Now it seems as if this costly experiment is coming to an abrupt halt.

There was speculation that the Commanders were in the market for a cornerback before the 2024 trade deadline. Most beat writers were skeptical, claiming it would likely be a short-term rental or depth move to help their surprise playoff push. General manager Adam Peters had something completely different in mind, completing a deal with the New Orleans Saints for four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.

The groundbreaking move sent shockwaves throughout the NFL and sent the fan base into jubilant joy. They have waited a long time for Commanders to become relevant again. That time is now.

Lattimore is a true shutdown presence. Someone who thrives in man coverage and appears to be a good fit for head coach Dan Quinn and coordinator Joe Whitt Jr.'s defensive system. It's a major statement of intent that bolsters their hopes of winning the NFC East along the way.

This has implications for the Commanders' cornerback depth chart. There will be some reshuffles. Benjamin St-Juste takes on a complementary role for which he is better suited. Rookie second-rounder Mike Sainristil could return to slot duties with Noah Igbinoghene as the No. 4 option. As for Forbes? He's completely lost in the pecking order.

There were rumors in Forbes magazine that the Commanders had received interest from around the league before deciding to acquire Lattimore. Either there was no offer or the compensation was not sufficient. However, it seems only a matter of time before this relationship leads to a breakup.

Forbes is the only remaining first-round pick from Ron Rivera's four-year tenure as head coach. This is a devastating indictment of the current personnel assessment. Peters is here to change all that by introducing a collaborative, professional process that always keeps the team's long-term vision at the forefront.

With the addition of Lattimore, those plans changed slightly. But it's also worth remembering how far the Commanders have come in such a short time. This ability to adapt to ever-changing circumstances is the hallmark of every great general manager. This doesn't help Forbes' ambitions, but it's a huge advantage for the team.

A fresh start would be the best possible solution for all sides. Forbes didn't see a defensive drop in Week 9 with the New York Giants. Things probably won't improve unless Lattimore's hamstring complication heals in time for this weekend's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He could be a good kick returner, but it's hard to say right now.

This wasn't what the previous decision-makers had in mind when they picked Forbes at No. 16 overall. Even when Christian Gonzalez was there, the former Mississippi standout was the man. That was an outstanding vote of confidence for the player. It was also the latest in a long series of serious errors in judgment by Rivera and his staff.

The road back is longer than ever for Forbes. Whether he can salvage anything from a career in ruins remains to be seen.

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