Emmanuel Forbes probably had no idea the beginning of his NFL career would be this difficult. Forbes, the 16th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, struggled as a rookie and was benched.
Forbes had a chance to start over this year, though, as the Washington Commanders hired a new coaching staff. Head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. have a long history of developing cornerbacks, and the hope was that Forbes would be the next.
However, through six games, Forbes has been in and out of the lineup. First, there was an injury, but on Sunday, Forbes was healthy and ready to play but inactive for the showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.
After the game, Quinn explained why Forbes wasn’t active. Playing a big, physical team like the Ravens would require Washington to play less Nickel. Therefore, the Commanders would need fewer cornerbacks.
On Wednesday, Quinn met with the media and was asked about Forbes.
“Yeah. I had that conversation specifically and kind of reminded him it’s not always going to be this rocky,” Quinn said. “By the work that you put in, the things that you want to emphasize, and then you work like hell to go improve upon those specific things and the chance is going to come back around. And when it does, you want to be able to go nail it. But the reason you can is because all the work that you put in, so when that chance comes again, you say, ‘Okay, I’ve put the work in, I’m ready to go do it.’ So, that was my message to him about the readiness and that next chance, it’s going to be there again and absolutely be ready for it.”
That’s a perfect explanation from Quinn. Is there more to it with Forbes? Maybe, maybe not. But Forbes must prove himself this year, or he will be elsewhere next season. He has 11 games to show the Commanders he’s improving and should be an integral of the franchise moving forward.