So, did two former Washington players take a social media shot at the Commanders?

Learning that veteran wide receiver Terry McLaurin had requested a trade, former Commanders cornerback Emmanuel Forbes took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted the following:

As you can see, Forbes, a corner, was actually responding to another former Commander, safety Kam Curl. The two were teammates with the Commanders in 2023 when the defense was at or near the bottom in most defensive categories, as the Commanders lost their final eight games, several by blowouts, surrendering the most points in the NFL that season.

Consequently, Curl essentially said he would like McLaurin to come to the Rams. Curl hinted that he would like to have McLaurin again as a teammate, which is commendable, no harm, no foul. Curl had some success in Washington. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL draft, he ignited hope that he might develop into a player the Commanders would re-sign to a second contract.

However, Curl proved to be very ineffective, offering little force in the dreadful 2023 season. The 2023 film being the last the new regime had on Curl, they understandably chose to allow Curl to leave and sign elsewhere as a free agent. Curl therefore did not receive nearly the contract value that two years earlier it was believed he would earn. Thus, he was signed by the Rams to a reported two-year deal for an APY of $4.4M. Curl did work his way into the starting lineup, starting 16 games for Los Angeles in 2024.

Forbes, on the other hand, was tweeting that he was laughing so hard he was crying, pondering perhaps if McLaurin could also become a Ram. Maybe he meant he was considering what was transpiring in Washington? We just don’t know.

Curl, though he didn’t develop into what his first season imagined could occur, was a starter for the Rams, a playoff team last year. BTW, keep in mind the Rams gave the Eagles their toughest contest in the playoffs last season. Curl also had a career high in passes defended (9) and forced fumbles (2).

Surely Forbes has not already forgotten that he could not even finish his second season in the NFL with Washington? He couldn’t play special teams, he couldn’t play the run, he didn’t defend well in coverage at all, and with no role, the Commanders were forced to either keep him inactive each week or release Forbes, bringing in someone else who could have a role on the team. So they released Forbes.

The Rams claimed him, he played in two games, starting one. Was Forbes laughing at what has happened in Washington, because he is glad there is friction as McLaurin wants out of Ashburn? For Forbes to be laughing, when he has enough work to do to perhaps even keep a roster spot with the Rams this year, raises the question, “How aware is Forbes of his NFL reality, right now?”

Actually, I don’t for a minute believe that Forbes is mocking Washington or being mean-spirited. Based on the evidence from Forbes’ 1.5 seasons with the Commanders, he demonstrated friendliness, kindness, and good sportsmanship. In fact, do you recall how when the Commanders connected on the ‘Hail Mary’ to defeat the Bears, there was film of Forbes out on the field actually being kind to two of the Bears remaining seated on the turf, as the Commanders were jumping for joy, ecstatic with the unbelievable win. Here it is:

So, perhaps Forbes’ tweet is nothing more than an immature guy who doesn’t yet realize the best thing for him to do is stay off of social media, engaging all his energy and focus on attempting to improve enough to remain in the league and on a 53-man roster this season.