Among all the intriguing stories that made up Sunday's NFL action, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr.’s return to D.C. was one that got overlooked, as his current team took on the team that drafted and released him, the Washington Commanders.
Forbes was a shocking pick for the Commanders back in 2023, as they used their first-round selection on him, picking the Mississippi State star over future All-Pro Christian Gonzalez. Forbes was constantly exposed as the final limbs of the dying Ron Rivera era started to come apart. Forbes looked bad, routinely being left on an island as part of a defensive system that was years behind the rest of the league.
The following season, the Dan Quinn era began, and the franchise would part ways with
many of the old regime’s top draft selections, including Forbes. He would be claimed by Los Angeles in the middle of the 2024 season, slowly rebuilding his career before having a breakout campaign last season.
With Jaylen Watson being lost for the season, Forbes played a major role in Sunday's victory, a game he had on his mind.
"Yeah, I had this one circled," said Forbes. "I was motivated to play them guys. They let me go two years ago, and I was just ready to go out there and show myself what I got.”
That is exactly what he did. The Washington game plan seemed strategic and personal. They knew Forbes was the least utilized outside corner in the Rams rotation, and they threw everything at him that they could, especially from what he was susceptible to during his time with the franchise. Forbes was outstanding, as he was targeted 10 times. According to Pro Football Focus, he had the best coverage grade (91.6) among all corners, and his 90.6 overall grade was also best at the position. Out of the top 20 corners, the second-highest targeted player faced six passes.
That's why Forbes was feeling good after the game.
“Just excited," said Forbes. "Went out there and got the dub. We played well on defense, and honestly just doing our job. That was the biggest thing, and not letting the moment be too big.”
Make no mistake, Washington fans weren't happy to see Forbes either and relished an early touchdown by Van Jefferson against the defensive back. However, that was his only major error of the game, and considering he was the focal point of Washington's attack, the fact that the Rams held Washington to 13 total points and only three in the second half speaks volumes to his work ethic and grit.
Forbes is set to be a free agent after this season, and with his role set to expand, who knows what his future will look like. What cannot be questioned is that his departure from the Commanders turned into a blessing in disguise. Following their waiving of Forbes, Washington went to the NFC Championship Game to close out their 2024 season, but failed to make the playoffs last year.
Forbes was inactive as the Rams won the NFC West in 2024 before taking on a starting role on their way to the 2025 NFC Championship Game. His work against NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba was a major highlight, as the Seattle Seahawks transitioned away from a passing-based attack against the Rams, towards a running-play action attack that schematically decreased the game-wrecking abilities of the outside cornerbacks during their three-game series.
This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Emmanuel Forbes Jr. had one of his best games ever vs. his former team
