Marshon Lattimore's November trade to Washington made headlines, but in his first month with his new team, he wasn't able to suit up.
That changes Sunday when Lattimore's Commanders travel to New Orleans to face his old team, the Saints.
Lattimore was asked about the importance of the matchup Friday and could have delivered a lip service response, but decided against it. For his debut, he's going to remain his authentic self, and this one is personal to the former first-round pick.
"I'd be lying if I say it didn't. They traded me away," Lattimore said. "I'm going back to show them why they shouldn't have. I'm happy where I'm at, but you know how it be. Extra motivation for the game, that's all."
Lattimore made his name in the NFL as a premier corner during his seven full seasons with the Saints, earning four trips to the Pro Bowl and earning 2017 Defensive Rookie of the Year upon his inception. He'd been a cornerstone in New Orleans' defense, but with the Saints struggling to the point of firing their head coach during the season, the likelihood of a trade involving Lattimore increased as the deadline approached.
That possibility became reality on Nov. 5 when the Saints sent Lattimore to Washington in exchange for third-, fourth- and sixth-round picks in next year's draft. A hamstring injury prevented the Commanders from receiving an immediate return on their investment, but this was never a short-term play, even with Washington enjoying a surprise turnaround in their first season under Dan Quinn.
Now, they'll get their first look at how Lattimore can affect their defense against an opponent he knows intimately.
"I just want to be if not the best, one of the best on the field, you know, just show everybody," Lattimore said. "That's really it. I just want to help my team win. That's what I'm going into the game thinking: Be the best I can be, and try to be the best on the field so we can win."
Lattimore joined a Commanders defense that has transformed itself from the worst unit in the NFL in 2023 to the 12th-ranked unit in 2024, then added a corner who has remained one of the best in the league when healthy.
He'll have a chance to make quite a first impression on Sunday.