The Washington Commanders fought valiantly during their Christmas Day divisional showdown against the Dallas Cowboys on Netflix. But as has been the case for much of the campaign, they ultimately fell short.
They couldn't be found wanting for effort. That's never been a problem during a disastrous campaign. However, it's the quality that is holding them back, along with the glaring injury issues to key personnel.
And there is one constant underperformer who could be reaching the breaking point.
Commanders have no need to see more of Quan Martin in Week 18
The Commanders didn't expect Quan Martin to fall flat. All the offseason hype was centered on the 2023 second-round pick making a monumental leap this season, potentially even entering breakout status and surging into the conversation among the best young safeties around the league. That has not gone according to plan.
Martin has been way short of the required standards this season. The former Illinois standout's consistency is lackluster. His coverage support has been woeful, and his run defense nonexistent. That's a bad combination, and his inept performance against the Cowboys should tell those in power all they need to know.
The defensive back should be benched in Week 18 against the Philadelphia Eagles. It's time to see what others can do from a prominent starting role.
There is no doubt that Martin has spurned every significant opportunity coming his way this offseason. There is nothing positive to take from a season that promised much but deliveredvery little. Although the safety wasn't a sure thing by any stretch, the Commanders placed a massive wager on his progression when they let Jeremy Chinn leave in free agency.
How they would love to have that decision back now.
The Commanders have nothing to lose and even less to play for in Week 18. There will be no better time to see what Tyler Owens or Percy Butler can do with starting-caliber reps. What that means for Martin's future is anyone's guess, but he can have absolutely no complaints if Washington opts to go in this direction in the coming days.
Martin has one more year remaining on his deal, and the money isn't exactly breaking the bank. Keeping him around seems feasible, but that should not prevent general manager Adam Peters from implementing the necessary improvements to Washington's backend defense when the 2026 offseason arrives.
If that means Martin is forced into a rotational role or forced off the team entirely, so be it. But his performance hasn't been good enough, all things considered.