When it comes to Washington Commanders safety Quan Martin in 2025, the stakes are high enough that when we say he’s playing with generational money on the line, we mean it.
Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton singled out the the third-year star among his “Building Blocks” for NFL franchises and pointed out that Martin could land a lucrative contract extension with another standout season.
“Quarterback Jayden Daniels has already established himself as the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowler,” Moton wrote on July 5. “Quan Martin deserves recognition as the unheralded building block on the Washington Commanders roster … while it’s too early for Martin to sign an extension, he may be in line for a new deal next offseason … Typically, teams are willing to pay big bucks to ball-hawking safeties. In 2026, Martin could earn a massive pay raise.”
The Commanders drafted Martin in the second round (No. 47 overall) in the 2023 NFL draft and signed him to a 4-year, $7.63 million contract. He started 5 games as a rookie in 2023, then blossomed as a full time starter in 2024 with 87 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 3 forced fumbles and 1 interception in 16 starts.
Martin was just as good in 3 playoff games, with 12 tackles, 1 pass deflection and a 40-yard interception return for a touchdown in an upset win over the Detroit Lions in the NFC Divisional Round.
Chinn’s Exit Puts Pressure on Martin to Perform
There’s extra pressure on Martin to deliver this season after safety Jeremy Chinn walk out the door in free agency after his own breakout year in 2024.
Chinn started all 17 games for the Commanders in 2024 with career highs of 117 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 fumble recoveries and 5 pass deflections while playing on a 1-year, $4.1 million contract. He turned that into a 2-year, $16.2 million free agent contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Martin could be in line for that type of money — or more — with similar numbers.
“Safety Quan Martin has breakout potential, or at least the staff feels that way,” The Athletic’s Ben Standig wrote on June 19. “Don’t expect Will Harris to replace Jeremy Chinn directly, even though that’s the general story. Chinn provided hard hitting, while Harris’ strength is positional versatility. Rotating across multiple spots in live action is crucial when facing shifting offensive formations.”
Martin’s Final Season Was NFL Draft Springboard
Martin, 6-foot and 195 pounds, was an All-Big Ten pick his final season at Illinois in 2022 after putting up career highs in tackles (64), interceptions (3) and pass deflections (11). He solidified his draft stock by running the 40-yard dash in 4.46 seconds at Pro Day along with ridiculous marks in the vertical jump (44 inches) and broad jump (11 feet, 1 inch).
That type of production and athleticism propelled Martin into the second round.
“Versatile cornerback/safety prospect with the size and physical talent to play nickel back or align as a deep safety,” NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation of Martin. “A buttery smooth hip swivel allows him to glide and transition effectively from his pedal … Martin’s speed and explosiveness at the NFL Scouting Combine was eye-catching, but he needs to play consistently to that speed on the field … has the potential to become an early contributor and a starter further down the road.”
