With the NFL’s new league year beginning on March 11, release season has officially begun in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs have gotten a head start on the festivities, releasing defensive lineman Mike Danna last week and informing offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor on Monday morning that he will be released. With those moves, the front office will also be keeping tabs on releases throughout the league for opportunities to improve going into next season.
One of those players could be released in the coming days, as CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reports that the Washington Commanders are “currently expected” to release cornerback Marshon Lattimore. A former first-round pick and four-time Pro Bowler, Lattimore could be on the Chiefs’ radar when his release becomes official and the rekindling of an old flame from a trade deadline a few years ago.
Chiefs Could Get Marshon Lattimore Mulligan After Commanders Release
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, the Chiefs were interested in Lattimore ahead of the 2024 trade deadline in an effort to bolster their secondary. But in the end, they were outbid by the Commanders, who gave up their 2025 third-, fourth-, and sixth-round picks to bring Lattimore to Washington.
While the Chiefs couldn’t make a deal at the time, they may be interested in making another run at Lattimore this time around. Trent McDuffie is entrenched as Kansas City’s top corner and is a candidate for an extension in the coming months. But the rest of the group has major questions behind him as Jaylen Watson hits free agency. Kristian Fulton is under contract for next season but could be released ahead of the start of the new league year, and Nohl Williams had a hard time gaining consistent playing time during his rookie season as the Chiefs preferred to lean on veterans.
Plugging Williams into the starting lineup is one option, but buying a lottery ticket for Lattimore has some upside. Lattimore was the 2017 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year with five interceptions for the New Orleans Saints, quickly earning him a reputation as a shutdown corner. But injuries have played a role in his decline since his last Pro Bowl appearance in 2021, limiting Lattimore to appearing in just 35 of a possible 68 regular-season games over the past four seasons.
In addition to his inconsistent availability, his play has deteriorated over the past several seasons, allowing 18 catches for 258 yards, two touchdowns with an interception, five pass breakups, and nine penalties (two declined) on 33 targets last season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Coming off a torn ACL, Lattimore is a reclamation project for any team that signs him. But he could also be a veteran to challenge Williams for a starting role next year. If anything, Lattimore warrants a conversation within the Chiefs' front office, and it could lead to a move they tried to make a few years ago.