Adam Peters understood the initial mission.

Massive transformations were underway within the Washington Commanders organization when Peters was hired as the team’s general manager in January. New owner wanted to return the franchise with three Lombardi Trophies to Super Bowl contender status after becoming a league-wide punching bag this century.

Six months after taking control, managing partner Josh Harris would finally have a chance to make the necessary fixes. Having participated in a recent turnaround with the San Francisco 49ersPeters came in with a similar mentality.

“I find it a very similar situation to what we had in San Francisco in 2017 – a lot of big similarities. … Ultimately, we’re going to build here through the draft and complement through free agency,” Peters said during his speech. introductory press conference. “We’re going to be very process-oriented and diligent in selecting people in free agency. But we’re going to build through the draft here.

Acquisition of cornerback Marshon Lattimore of the New Orleans Saints ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline, shows Peters acknowledged the mission had changed.

Washington added the four-time Pro Bowler and a 2025 fifth-round pick from New Orleans in exchange for 2025 third- and fourth-round picks. The Saints also picked up the sixth-rounder sent to the Commanders in August for defensive tackle John Ridgeway III.

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Even a few weeks into the season, imagining the current reality: Washington’s record of 7-2 is all but 7-1 in the entire conference. Detroit – was beyond comprehension.

on Sunday Road win 27-22 on the New York Giants It was the Commanders’ third straight victory and seventh in eight games. That surge and a conference devoid of top teams changed the landscape. After weighing the cost-benefit, Washington moved aggressively toward Lattimore on Tuesday, according to a league source familiar with the matter. Commanders beat undefeated, back-to-back Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs for the cornerback under contract through 2026, according to a league source.

The Commanders took steps during the offseason to support this long-term vision. Dan Quinn, a strong-willed, defense-focused man, was hired as head coach. Washington altered more than half the roster, emphasizing cost-effective, high-character veterans who played in winning cultures.

Peters then made nine draft picksheadlined by the quarterback Jayden Danielsthe second overall choice. He also added picks for the future year by trading away the 2022 first-round wide receiver. Jahan Dotson At Philadelphia Eagles and Ridgeway to the Saints. No new caps were set even as Daniels became the talk of the league and Washington’s offense transformed into an efficient scoring machine (29.2 points per game).

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Questions remained at several starting points, particularly on defense. Although increasingly cohesive against weaker foes, Washington ranks 26th in DVOA (defensive value adjusted over average). Cornerback was at the top of the list of needs.

There was a first rotation of Benjamin St-Juste, Mike Sainristil And Noah Igbinoghene. St-Juste, a solid fourth-year player, was overmatched against opposing No. 1 receivers. Sainristil, a feisty but undersized second-round rookie, was drafted to play inside but defaulted to in the other outer corner. And first round of 2023 Emmanuel Forbes Jr.selected by the previous front office, did not improve after a trying rookie campaign. Veteran Michael Davis came out of the rotation in September.

Enter Lattimore, a former Ohio State teammate of Washington receivers Terry McLaurin And Noah Brown. A first-round selection in 2017 by the Saints, the 6-foot defensive end earned his first Pro Bowl selection the same season he was named Defensive Rookie of the Year. He added three more Pro Bowl nods by 2021, only to miss 19 games over the next three seasons. That includes two in 2024 with a hamstring injury.

If healthy, Lattimore becomes Washington’s No. 1 corner. His presence improves the chances against upcoming wide receivers such as AJ Brown And Lamb CeeDeeand his entry allows St-Juste and Sainristil to play more natural roles. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. can play more aggressive man coverage schemes with Lattimore. That should allow more bodies to help the 29th-ranked run defense without hopefully altering the camaraderie that has played a prominent role in the team’s turnaround.

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The bonus with Lattimore is that this acquisition goes beyond this season. Its cost includes salaries for 2025 ($16 million) and 2026 ($16 million) from a five-year, $97.6 million contract extension signed in 2021. The lack of guaranteed money for years remaining means Washington could bail after this season. Yet aside from injuries reducing his effectiveness, that’s not happening after trading picks that the Saints (2-7) were happy to accept.

The lack of guaranteed money suggests Lattimore’s agent will likely seek a revised deal. It would also reduce Lattimore’s salary cap hit from the current $31.66 million in 2025. Peters won’t have a problem if the cornerback fixes recent issues at a key position. Washington opened a roster spot by releasing a defensive lineman Efe Obada.

Peters will have seven draft picks remaining in 2025, including Miami Dolphins Received third-rounder from the Eagles in the Dotson trade and significant salary cap space. That’s enough to continue building while taking advantage of Daniels playing on a rookie contract.

At some point, Washington would need significant help at cornerback. That 7-2 record and Daniels’ brilliance accelerated the retooling work. Ultimately, Peters accepted the new assignment.

(Photo: Gérald Herbert/Associated Press)