Commanders excited by Lattimore trade: 'We want to win now'

Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Marshon Lattimore is thrilled to have a change of scenery after being traded from the last-place New Orleans Saints to the Washington Commanders on Tuesday.

"I'm excited. It's a new start for me; I'm just ready to go," Lattimore said Wednesday in his first interview with his new team, according to NBC4 Sports.

Lattimore added, "(The Commanders) have good things going on. ... It's a great situation for me to be in, so I'm excited for it."

Lattimore joined Washington in exchange for multiple draft picks, including a third-rounder. It was the biggest move on the NFL trade deadline day for a Commanders team trending upward after starting the season 7-2 with a standout quarterback in rookie Jayden Daniels.

Adding Lattimore sends a clear message to other Commanders players and the rest of the NFL.

"That we want to win and we want to win now," said Washington linebacker Bobby Wagner.

Wagner also praised Lattimore.

"I've always watched him from afar, he's been an amazing player in this league, so to be able to have him as part of this team is really exciting," Wagner said.

A first-round pick in 2017, Lattimore took the NFL by storm, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and four Pro Bowl nods in his first five seasons. But the 28-year-old has battled injuries lately and hasn't played more than 10 games in a season since 2021. Lattimore has missed two games in 2024, including Week 9.

A healthy Lattimore is expected to elevate a Commanders secondary that's lacked consistency this year, allowing a 103.9 passer rating while making just three interceptions. Washington ranks third in points scored and 11th in points allowed.

The Commanders play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, but Lattimore's status remains uncertain as he battles a hamstring injury.

Washington general manager Adam Peters said Wednesday that the team will take a day-to-day approach with its new corner, according to ESPN's John Keim.