Quan Martin Is Starting to Answer Commanders’ Biggest Safety Question

Quan Martin has interceptions in each of Washington’s first two preseason games, beginning to provide the ball production the Commanders needed to see from their third-year safety.

Aug 22, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin (20) runs with the ball against the Detroit Lions in the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Washington Commanders entered training camp needing real answers from Quan Martin's play. The team yearns for Martin to turn his athletic ability and experience into something bigger than they've seen so far. Back at the end of June, I wrote an article about Quan Martin's uncertain future in the burgundy and gold titled "Running Out of Time to Answer Commanders’ Biggest Safety Question." Since that time, Martin has looked the part, getting two interceptions in as many preseason contests, with the latest coming off Lions quarterback Josh Dobbs after ending 2025 without a pick.

Martin is productive overall; his 2025 season included 99 tackles, a forced fumble, and three passes defensed, but his lack of interceptions and inconsistent tackling have raised concerns.

Quinn sounded extremely confident in Martin's skills after the Lions game: "He’s always somebody that has good ball skills, and he’s got the speed to get to the locations for that. So, I’m not surprised," Quinn said. "He’s usually at his best when he’s got, as a high safety, to come and make some plays." Quinn ended the conversation by saying, "He’s off to a great start," which shows he's still paying close attention to Martin's progress.

Quan loves INTs in this building 😎

📺 #WASvsDET @wusa9 pic.twitter.com/9Y08h1Wagt

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) August 22, 2026

The Safety Question Looks Different Now

When the team added Nick Cross to the room, the bar was raised for Martin to come in and give more than he had before. The types of things Martin has been doing this preseason are exactly what the previous article spoke about: ranging from the back end, ball production, and making plays capable of changing possessions. None of this frees Martin from his tackling issues from a year ago, as we haven't seen enough evidence to confirm or deny an improvement in that situation.

The team's next checkpoint is Baltimore and this week's joint practice session, followed by one more preseason opportunity before the results start counting. At the end of the day, Martin entered camp this year running out of time to show whether he was a reliable answer at safety, and after two preseason games, he is finally beginning to make that answer easier to see.

COMMANDERS DARONTE JONES DEFENSE 📈

Three Commanders intercepted Dolphins passes on Thursday night - Quan Martin, Ale Kaho and Malik Spencer.

It gave us a glimpse of what this defense might look like under Daronte Jones this season.@DCNewsNow pic.twitter.com/wP6XTkkTmh

— Alex Flum (@AlexFlumTV) August 16, 2026

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