Sometimes the spotlight can feel a bit too intense. Just days after a dominant 21-6 win over the New York Giants, the Washington Commanders stumbled under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football. They had hoped for stability from veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore, but instead, he became the center point of a defensive meltdown, and his post-game comments raised some eyebrows.

Lattimore openly blasted the officiating following the Commanders’ 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers, claiming the flags against him were unfair and that referees missed calls on opposing receivers. “They missed calls, they called calls that weren’t supposed to be calls. I don’t really think it was fair,” Lattimore said. His remarks could draw some unwanted attention and maybe even discipline from the league.

Although the latter is unlikely, it’s not unreasonable to think that the league might warn him about this. Because, per the 2025 Media Access Policy, “Each club is required to conduct a media training session each year prior to the start of the regular season for all players and coaches.” The media training is for communication and the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ that follow. But so far, there’s no official ruling against Marshon’s comments.

The frustration came after a rough outing. Jordan Love and the Packers targeted Lattimore from the opening drive, using pre-snap motion to create space and drawing two holding penalties. He also gave up a deep 37-yard strike to Malik Heath, all while struggling to stay in phase on shorter routes. It marked his ninth and tenth penalties in just seven games since joining Washington, a trend now impossible to ignore.

The Commanders counted on Marshon Lattimore to be their shutdown corner after acquiring him in a high-profile trade last season. He showed promise early this year, effectively covering Malik Nabers in Week 1. But now, his inconsistency is becoming a major concern. Opponents are testing him more and more, and the strategy to exploit his weaknesses is becoming well-known.

For the Commanders, the stakes are clear. They need Marshon Lattimore to anchor the secondary. Instead, he’s caught between savior and liability. And now, his words might create a whole new problem if the league takes notice. However, he’s not the only one under spotlight after a horrendous outing against the Packers.

Washington Commanders at an early crossroads with Josh Conerly Jr.

The hype around rookie right tackle Josh Conerly Jr. is colliding with harsh reality. In his second game, the first-round pick was overwhelmed by the Green Bay Packers’ ferocious front seven. He stayed in the fight, but the damage was obvious.

Conerly’s struggles were hard to miss. It wasn’t a lack of effort; it was simply a case of raw inexperience going up against top-tier talent. The Commanders were hoping to see glimpses of his potential, but instead, they were reminded just how steep the learning curve can be.

But it wasn’t just Conerly who faced difficulties. The whole offensive line struggled. Even seasoned left tackle Laremy Tunsil had his hands full. Quarterback Jayden Daniels was under constant pressure, forced to release the ball in a hurry. With no running game to speak of, Washington’s offense never found rhythm.

There were minor bright spots. Austin Ekeler ran hard before an Achilles injury sidelined him. Zach Ertz and Deebo Samuel Sr. each scored. But the protection issues overshadowed everything.

The bigger question now looms: What’s next for Conerly? Head coach Dan Quinn, offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and line coach Bobby Johnson must decide whether to keep throwing him into the fire or let veteran Andrew Wylie step in.

Conerly has talent, but he’s raw. He’s switching positions, facing elite pass rushers, and learning on the fly. The Commanders believe he’ll grow from this.