Business is about to pick up for the Washington Commanders. Head coach Dan Quinn and his players are just a few days away from training camp, the most intense phase of preparations for the new campaign.
The Commanders have run a high-tempo program up to now. Quinn wanted to raise the bar after a torrid 2025 campaign. Players were stung, but the page has firmly been turned now. And this new resolve, coupled with the added competition for places, could be the springboard for brighter fortunes.
Obviously, there are many unknowns. General manager Adam Peters got younger across the board this offseason, but the pieces still have to come together. The Commanders' roster looks stronger now, but this is predicated on some players breaking out and others restoring their reputations.
It will be physical. It will be fun. And hopefully, it will put the Commanders in the best possible position to thrive as a collective squad, all ready to pursue a common goal.
With this in mind, here are seven Commanders players who have the platform to transform their fortunes at this year's training camp.
Washington Commanders players who can transform their fortunes at training camp
Quan Martin - Commanders DB
This one seems pretty obvious, so let's start here.
You didn't have to look far for breakout projections attached to Quan Martin before the 2025 campaign. His impressive postseason surge meant hopes were high in Year 3, with fans eagerly anticipating him to potentially emerge into franchise cornerstone territory if raised expectations were met.
Instead of shining, Martin capitulated. He wasn't the only member of Washington's moribund defense who fell flat, but he was arguably the most disappointing. Poor positioning, too many missed tackles, and overall lackluster play saw his snaps diminish as the year went on. Eventually, Dan Quinn took him out of the firing line completely.
With a new defensive coordinator coming on board, the Commanders could have easily moved on from Martin this offseason. They kept faith, believing that Daronte Jones had the tools and the scheme to bring more out of the 2023 second-round pick.
The early signs were encouraging. Washington experimented with Martin more in the nickel over OTAs and mandatory minicamp. This is where he starred as a rookie and could be best suited. Nobody knows for sure how the dynamic will play out, but it does mean that all hope is not lost.
What comes next is down to Martin, but if he can somehow restore confidence over the summer, a bounce-back might not be too far behind.Â
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