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Former Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes' fifth-year option was declined by the Rams

The Washington Commanders haven’t been shy in making changes to their roster this offseason after missing out on the playoffs entirely last year. While injuries played a big role in the Commanders’ struggles, the team has made it clear that it is not OK with how things played out in 2025 after it made it all the way to the NFC Championship Game the year before.

Several players have been shown the exit door this offseason, and you can bet that Washington will be keeping close tabs on them, no matter where they end up. One example of a player who was let go of previously that falls in that category is cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, as he recently received a big update on his contract situation with his new team, the Los Angeles Rams.

Rams Decline Emmanuel Forbes’ Fifth-Year Option

The Commanders selected Forbes with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but less than two full years later, he was no longer with the team. After struggling as a rookie, Forbes only made it halfway through the 2024 campaign before he ended up getting surprisingly released by Washington.

It didn’t take long for the Rams to scoop him up, and while he didn’t play much throughout the remainder of the 2024 campaign, he started 14 of the 17 games he appeared in during his first full season with the team. Forbes showed his potential for Los Angeles, as he racked up 45 tackles, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, and one forced fumble during his time on the field.

Since Los Angeles claimed Forbes off waivers after he was initially released, it is still on the hook for his rookie contract, which includes a fifth-year option for the 2027 campaign worth $12.6 million. While Forbes has carved out a role for himself with the Rams, the front office decided to decline his fifth-year option, meaning he is entering the final year of his rookie contract now.

“The Rams declined the fifth-year option on the contract of cornerback Emmanuel Forbes, according to the NFL’s personnel notice,” Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk reported. “The move was expected, as exercising the option would have fully guaranteed Forbes $12.6 million in 2027.”

Rams Could Still Sign Emmanuel Forbes to a Contract Extension

GettyEmmanuel Forbes Jr. #1 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on before a game against the Baltimore Ravens.

The Rams’ cornerback room has undergone some significant changes this offseason, as the team traded for Trent McDuffie from the Kansas City Chiefs, and then signed his former partner with the Chiefs, Jaylen Watson, in free agency. Right off the bat, that implies that Forbes will not have as big a role with L.A. in 2026, which is likely a big reason why this option was declined.

As for the Commanders, their cornerback room is still in decent shape, even when accounting for their big swing and miss on Forbes. Anytime you release your first-round draft pick less than two years after bringing him to town, that has to be considered a loss, but Washington did what it felt was necessary, even if it was a little bit of a head-scratching decision at the time.