Dan Quinn cut a frustrated figure during the Washington Commanders' loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day. And one error too many seemed to be the final straw for a once-touted breakout candidate who has struggled to meet these raised expectations.
Quan Martin saw his snaps diminish significantly in Week 17 after the Commanders watched the third-year safety fluff his lines. Blown coverages and missed tackles once again reared their heads, further reducing confidence in his capabilities. The head coach had seen enough, giving Jeremy Reaves his reps and moving the 2023 second-round pick into a rotational role.
This is the latest in a series of body blows for Martin this season. He was expected to assume complete control of the safety unit after the Commanders let Jeremy Chinn leave for the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. That was a massive mistake in hindsight, and Quinn didn't mix his words when probed about the player's struggles during his Monday media availability.
Dan Quinn confirmed what Commanders fans thought about Quan Martin
Quinn confirmed to reporters that it was a busted coverage assignment that saw Martin go to the fringes. This doesn't happen through just one lapse in judgment. This is a direct result of the defensive back's underperformance throughout the campaign; it was merely a tipping point.
Dan Quinn on Quan Martin's declining snaps: re: this last game ... "there was a busted assignment that eliminated some of his reps."
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) December 29, 2025
This also told fans all they needed to know about Martin's future in Washington. Patience is clearly running out. He'll be cheap enough to keep around entering the final year of his rookie deal, but his starting aspirations might be over with the Commanders.
Actions will speak louder than words in this scenario if general manager Adam Peters goes after a prized free-agent safety or drafts Ohio State prospect Caleb Downs with his first-round pick. That will not be good news for Martin. And in all honesty, the former Illinois standout only has himself to blame.
Martin has been given countless opportunities to flourish. He's failed to take any of them, and the time for half-measures is over in Washington. The player has one more chance to prove himself, but the overall body of work is all that matters.
There is no doubt Martin has fallen way short. Most were projecting him to be a candidate to get extended ahead of time this offseason. Instead, he's fighting to stay relevant, and this could very well be another high-end draft pick from the Ron Rivera era that doesn't see out their first contract in Washington.
Time will tell on that. However, it appears as if the writing is on the wall.