The Washington Commanders are currently sorting out their coaching staff. They already let Kliff Kingsbury go and promoted David Blough to offensive coordinator. Head coach Dan Quinn is taking more time with the defense, which is the right call amid increasing pressure on his job in 2026.
For Adam Peters, another drastic roster revamp awaits. Aside from a few cornerstone pieces who are a massive part of the future, everyone should be nervously awaiting what moves are made by the third-year general manager.
Some decisions seem straightforward, while others are more complex. Much will also depend on the scheme the new defensive coordinator plans to run. However, it would be deeply disappointing if a complete overhaul of the personnel didn't occur in the coming months.
Commanders' pending changes place Quan Martin firmly on the chopping block
What that means for Quan Martin's future remains to be seen. The 2023 second-round pick was projected to take his game into breakout territory this season, with some even speculating an extension ahead of time could arrive soon after. That fell by the wayside dramatically, and the Commanders' decision to make him a fringe player down the stretch spoke volumes.
Quinn may have said something different to the media, but his actions indicated a complete lack of trust in Martin's ability to deliver. His dismal tackling technique, poor situational awareness, and lack of coverage skills were a weak link throughout the campaign. Hindsight is 20/20, but the decision to let Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency is something Peters would probably like to have back.
Martin was unable to become the alpha dog on Washington's defensive back end. He's got one more year left on his rookie deal, but that doesn't guarantee a roster spot anymore. Unless significant improvements arrive, the Commanders could deem him surplus to requirements via trade or release at some stage this offseason.
There are unknowns attached. The new defensive coordinator may look to alter Martin's role slightly to better maximize his skill set. Much will also depend on who comes into the building, with speculation that Ohio State safety Caleb Downs could be Peters' guy at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.
This is all out of Martin's hands. His primary focus should be rest, recuperation, and examining what went so wrong before striving to grow as a player. That will only serve the Illinois product well, but his time in Washington may have ended with a whimper if he doesn't get a reprieve.
It's a deeply disappointing development for the Commanders and Martin. Don't be surprised if his name is on the chopping block in the not-too-distant future.