Former Commanders' 1st-round pick sounds off after beating Washington

Emmanuel Forbes, the former No. 16 overall draft pick of the Washington Commanders, returned to his old stadium on Sunday for the first time since being waived by the team on November 30, 2024. Forbes, currently playing as a reserve cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams following his trade from Washington in December 2024, started the game featuring Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson sidelined.

Forbes delivered an impressive performance, finishing with six tackles, including one for loss, marking a notable improvement from his previous appearances, where he had never been involved in a tackle at Northwest Stadium.

Expressing his motivation for the match, Forbes stated, “Yeah I had this one circled.” He was eager to face his former team, which had waived him two years prior. Winning the game against Washington 20-13, Forbes savored his victory, acknowledging that beating the team that drafted him always carries significance. He had been a reserve player for Washington and was let go despite their desperate need for cornerbacks, a situation that underscores the character of both the player and the organization.

Forbes’ stellar performance, coupled with his commendable demeanor, suggests he has grown considerably since his tenure with the Commanders.