Noah Igbinoghene’s 2024 season was different from the four NFL campaigns that proceeded it, and the former Auburn standout explained why on Tuesday.
“Just playing consistently,” Igbinoghene said. “Last year was the most I ever played consistently in my career on a yearly basis. Played a lot of games, a lot of ball, have a lot of film, so I’m excited to get to build that resume once again. Continue just to build. I’m excited what the future holds.”
Igbinoghene’s breakout season came after he joined the Washington Commanders as a free agent, and he’ll be back with the team in 2025 after choosing it as a free agent again. He talked with reporters after signing his contract on Tuesday.
“Just being here on the team last year, I felt like me as a player, I grew a lot as a player here last year,” Igbinoghene said. “I love the coaching staff. I love everything about this organization, the team, head coach Dan (Quinn). I love everything about this place, so I’m excited I get to work here again and just earn my way again.”
Quinn was the Dallas defensive coordinator last season, when the Cowboys acquired Igbinoghene in a trade with the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 29, 2023.
Igbinoghene played five games and was on the field for 25 defensive snaps and 77 special-teams plays in the 2023 season. But after Quinn became the head coach of the Commanders last offseason, Washington signed Igbinoghene as a free agent.
“In Dallas, I really didn’t play that much,” Igbinoghene said. “I was just practicing, honestly. But he saw the work I was putting in, how much I really wanted it. He gave me a chance, and that’s all I really wanted was an opportunity. He gave me that, so I will forever honor him and respect him for that. I’m excited that they trust me again, respect me again to come back here again and give me another opportunity to show what I can do. I’m excited for what the future holds, and we’ll see what happens.”
The 30th pick of the 2020 NFL Draft, Igbinoghene had 628 defensive snaps and 483 special-teams plays in 37 regular-season games, with five starts, in his first four NFL campaigns.
With Washington in Year 5, Igbinoghene played in 17 regular-season games, with 10 starts, and was on the field for 818 defensive snaps and 60 special-teams plays. He also played 153 defensive snaps in three playoff games as the Commanders reached the NFC Championship Game for the first time since the 1991 season.
Igbinoghene got most of that work at nickel corner, a new spot for him in the NFL
Igbinoghene entered the 2024 season with 29 tackles and five passes defended in his career. He had 55 tackles, seven passes defended and the first tackle for loss of his NFL career in 2024.
“There was a consistency of play,” Igbinoghene said. “I know that I earned that. In order for me to be playing consistently, the coaches have to trust you. I know I had their trust, had their respect, so that’s huge for me.
“In moving forward, I get to earn that again as we get into OTAs and training and stuff like that. I’m excited to see what that looks like again.”
In addition to following Quinn to Washington, Igbinoghene was joined on the move from the Cowboys to the Commanders by his position coach in Dallas. Former Auburn wide receiver and student assistant Joe Whitt Jr. worked as Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2024 and also is back for 2025.
The Commanders lost Benjamin St-Juste in free agency to the Los Angeles Chargers last week after he started 14 games at cornerback in 2024. But Washington added former Jonathan Jones, a nine-year veteran, to its cornerback corps through free agency.
“Jonathan went to Auburn,” Igbinoghene said. “I’m an Auburn guy as well, so I’ve heard a lot about him. I didn’t get to play with him, though, at Auburn. But I know he’s won the Super Bowl, had a lot of success in the league, so I’m excited to get to work with him, excited to get to grow and learn from him as well and see what he has to teach me.”
Igbinoghene was an All-State selection in the athlete slot for Hewitt-Trussville in 2016. Igbinoghene also was a track-and-field star for the Huskies, with championships in the AHSAA Class 7A boys’ indoor and outdoor long jump and triple jump as a senior among his achievements.
Coming to Auburn as a wide receiver, Igbinoghene made the switch to the secondary during spring practice in 2018 after one college season as a pass-catcher.
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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at@AMarkG1.