Noah Igbinoghene was ready when his opportunity came in 2024, and so the Commanders re-signed him Thursday.
Igbinoghene was behind rookie Mike Sainristil as the slot cornerback when the Commanders’ defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and head coach Dan Quinn determined to move Sainristil to the outside. Igbinoghene would get the first opportunity to become the new slot cornerback.
The former Miami Dolphin and Dallas Cowboy was inserted into the starting lineup as the slot corner and never lost the job, starting ten games in Whitt’s defense last season. Being quite divided on Igbinoghene during the 2024 season, the fan base remained divided with the Thursday signing. Some referred to him as a bust, while some are glad he is returning for 2025.
It’s a one-year deal for Igbinoghene, who will only be 26 in November. The re-signing of the 30th overall in the 2020 NFL draft means the top four Commanders’ cornerbacks heading into the 2025 NFL draft are likely to be Marshon Lattimore, Mike Sainristil, Jonathan Jones (signed Wednesday from the Patriots), and Igbinoghene in the slot.
If the Commanders were to get an outside corner in rounds one or two in this next draft, then Quinn and Whitt might move Sainristil back inside to the slot corner. But for now, he remains outside, and Igbinoghene is the slot cornerback.
More importantly, it will be Lattimore’s play. His disappointing half-season with the Commanders understandably raised the concern barometer for many Commanders fans. Following the 2024 season, GM Adam Peters and Quinn have publicly voiced their confidence in Lattimore.
Yes, you can be certain that Peters is looking for an edge rusher and another corner to help his defense improve from last season. In addition, you can also be certain Quinn and Whitt are glad to have Igbinoghene back in their defensive unit.
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