A year ago at this time—that time, of course, being the days leading into the NFL trade deadline—Cheeseheads everywhere were clamoring for the Green Bay Packers to swing a deal with the New Orleans Saints to acquire four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore.
That, of course, didn't happen, as the Washington Commanders ultimately made the move, sending a 2025 third-round pick, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and a 2025 sixth-round pick to New Orleans, while getting Lattimore and a 2025 fifth-round pick in return.
Plenty of Packers fans were upset at the time, but looking back on it now, those same fans should be thrilled that things didn't materialize, as the Commanders clearly haven't gotten what they thought they would with this trade, which we'll break down in more detail momentarily.
There's certainly a lesson to be learned here, as Green Bay, despite having one of the best overall defenses in the NFL through the first eight weeks of this 2025 season, is once again struggling at the cornerback position. As such, once again, Cheeseheads are itching for GM Brian Gutekunst to strike a deal to get Jeff Hafley's unit some help ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. Eastern deadline.
But if the Packers do indeed hit the market, they simply have to be smart about it, as there is no need to overpay, whether it be draft capital or an inherited inflated salary, for a player who isn't worth it. And that brings us right back to Lattimore.
The Packers should be thrilled they didn't trade for Marshon Lattimore
The desire to acquire Lattimore certainly made sense, as he had been one of the best at his position for several years—when healthy, that is, as he missed half of the Saints' games between the 2022 and 2023 seasons. Hmmm...that doesn't sound like Jaire Alexander at all, does it? Sorry, but that was just too easy to pass up. How's that going, by the way, Ravens fans? Okay, I'll stop now.
While Lattimore joined the Commanders in early November, he didn't take the field for his new team until mid-December, as he was dealing with a hamstring injury, which he reaggravated in his second outing with Washington, thus forcing him out of the final two games of the regular season.
He returned for the Commanders' impressive postseason run but was really only effective in the Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions, not allowing a single reception. In the Wild Card Round, however, he got torched by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, allowing six receptions on six targets for 84 yards and a touchdown, and then gave up 103 receiving yards in Washington's NFC title game loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
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As for this season, Lattimore's 52.8 overall PFF defensive grade has him ranked 88th of 113 eligible cornerbacks, and his 51.6 coverage grade has him ranked 91st among those same 113. He's been penalized seven times already, tied for the second-most flags drawn among perimeter corners, has allowed 1.3 yards per coverage snap, which is higher than average for a perimeter corner, and is giving up 15.2 yards per reception.
The 29-year-old did finally record his first interception this past Monday night, picking off Patrick Mahomes, but it ultimately proved inconsequential, as Washington took a 28-7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Trust me; I could keep going. But the overall point is that the Commanders lost this trade. In addition to all the draft capital they gave up, they're also on the hook for a little over $18 million this year and another $18.5 million next year.
So, again, the Packers not trading for Lattimore turned out to be the right call. Sometimes, the best deals are the ones you don't make, and Green Bay needs to remember that over the next few days.