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Green Bay Packers Legend CB Al Harris Urges Team to Sign 4-Time Pro Bowler Recently Released by Commanders

Posted March 8, 2026

Green Bay, WI – In a surprising endorsement that's stirring up excitement in Titletown, Green Bay Packers legend and former Pro Bowl cornerback Al Harris has publicly called on the organization to pursue veteran cornerback Marshon Lattimore, who was recently released by the Washington Commanders.

Al Harris: A Shutdown Cornerstone for the Packers Though Al Harris hung up his cleats years ago after a standout tenure with the Packers (2003-2009), including two Pro Bowl selections (2007, 2008) and a key role in the Super Bowl XLV championship defense alongside Charles Woodson, his opinion still carries significant weight in Green Bay. Inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame, Harris is remembered as one of the most physical, lockdown corners in franchise history—known for his tough man coverage and ability to disrupt receivers at the line.
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Harris believes adding a player of Lattimore's caliber would be a smart, aggressive move as the Packers aim to bolster their secondary ahead of the 2026 season. "Marshon Lattimore isn't just filling a spot—he's a proven shutdown corner who can flip games with his press coverage and instincts," Harris stated. "If Green Bay wants to stay competitive in a loaded NFC North with explosive offenses like the Lions and Bears, they need that veteran edge in the secondary."

Why the Move Makes Sense for Green Bay Harris's recommendation comes at a time when NFL analysts are viewing Lattimore as a prime "buy-low" opportunity in free agency. Despite an injury-plagued stint in Washington (limited appearances after a mid-2024 trade from the Saints, including an ACL tear), the four-time Pro Bowler still brings elite traits that could thrive in the Packers' scheme.

  • Scheme Fit and Experience: Lattimore has deep familiarity with aggressive, man-heavy defenses from his time under Dennis Allen in New Orleans. With the Packers' defensive staff emphasizing competition and physicality at corner, Lattimore could quickly adapt and provide high-level play without a long adjustment period.
  • Mentorship for Young DBs: Harris highlighted the value Lattimore could bring to Green Bay's emerging secondary, including players like Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine. A four-time Pro Bowler in the room sets a standard for preparation, technique, and professionalism that could accelerate development.
  • Cap-Friendly Opportunity: The Commanders released Lattimore to clear $18.5 million in cap space, making him a free agent. Green Bay, with solid cap flexibility entering the league year, could land him on a short-term, incentive-heavy deal—allowing room to address other needs while adding proven talent without breaking the bank.

    Commanders have informed former Pro-Bowl CB Marshon Lattimore that they intend to release him before the new league year begins, a move that will save the team $18.5 million in salary cap space, per sources. pic.twitter.com/KNDe1botDA

    — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2026

A Call to Action for Brian Gutekunst Harris's vocal support acts as a direct nudge to General Manager Brian Gutekunst, whose measured approach to free agency is well-known. While the Packers have already added depth (e.g., signing Benjamin St-Juste for competition), Harris argues that elite talents like Lattimore don't hit the market often. "Don't overthink it," Harris added. "Bring him in, check the medicals, and let him prove he's still that elite cover guy. Bold moves win championships—sometimes you have to swing for the proven playmaker to get over the top."

As free agency ramps up on March 11, the conversation around Marshon Lattimore's landing spot is heating up. Whether the Packers follow the advice of one of their most respected defensive legends remains to be seen, but Al Harris has put the idea front and center—and Packers fans are taking notice.

 

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Packers Sign Former Dolphins First-Round Star DT to Veteran Minimum Deal After One Year Away from Football — Medical Evaluation Pending
    The Green Bay Packers have quietly made an intriguing late-offseason move, agreeing to a veteran minimum contract with a former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle, pending the results of a routine medical evaluation. For Green Bay, the decision reflects both calculated risk and potential reward. The veteran, now 30 years old, did not play during the 2025 season and has remained one of the more notable names lingering on the free-agent market. Yet around the league, many evaluators still believe his ceiling remains remarkably high if his health cooperates. Before his year away from football, the defensive tackle had built a reputation as one of the most disruptive interior defenders in the NFL. Originally selected in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, that player is Christian Wilkins. The former Clemson Tigers standout quickly developed into a cornerstone of Miami’s defensive front through his blend of strength, quickness, and relentless motor. His résumé already carries impressive credentials. Wilkins was part of two national championship teams during his collegiate career with Clemson, where he emerged as one of the most dominant defensive linemen in college football before transitioning to the professional stage. Once in the NFL, he became known for his ability to collapse pockets from the interior while maintaining discipline against the run. Defensive coordinators consistently praised Wilkins’ versatility — a rare interior defender capable of absorbing double teams on early downs while still generating interior pressure when offenses shifted into passing situations. That profile is precisely why the Packers see potential value in this signing. Head coach Matt LaFleur has long emphasized building defensive fronts capable of controlling games at the line of scrimmage. Adding Wilkins, even on a minimum deal, offers another experienced body with proven high-level production. If healthy, his interior disruption could help create additional one-on-one opportunities for Green Bay’s edge rushers — a dynamic that has historically fueled some of the league’s most aggressive defenses. Of course, the key variable remains health. Wilkins’ absence from the 2025 season raised questions throughout the league, and Green Bay’s agreement with the veteran defender remains contingent upon medical clearance following a comprehensive evaluation by the team’s doctors. For the Packers, however, the calculus is simple. A veteran minimum contract carries little financial risk, while the upside of regaining a former first-round defensive tackle who once played at a Pro Bowl level could dramatically strengthen the defensive rotation. In many ways, this signing reflects the kind of opportunistic roster building Green Bay has long embraced. And if Christian Wilkins proves healthy enough to return to form, the Packers may have just discovered one of the most intriguing low-cost defensive additions of the offseason.

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