Jaw Dropping Heist as AFC West Powerhouse Pulls Off Shocking Steal of Commanders $16 Million Ball Hawking Sensation

The first time a Washington Commanders cornerback gets burned over the top this season, with no help, you can bet you’re going to hear the name Jeremy Chinn said over and over again — and usually followed by some curse words.

The Commanders rolled the dice by letting Chinn, a talented safety, leave to the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency on a modest, 2-year, $16.2 million contract.

Conversely, the Raiders may have struck gold by getting Chinn.

“I liked the Raiders’ defensive moves in free agency, bringing in safety Jeremy Chinn and retaining (Adam) Butler and edge rusher Malcolm Koonce,” ESPN’s Seth Walder wrote on July 10.

Chinn, Commanders Got One Win From Super Bowl

Chinn was a valuable addition to the Commanders in his one season with the franchise after signing a 1-year, $4.1 million contract in March 2024.

Chinn started every game for the Commanders in 2024 and finished the regular season with 117 tackles, 1 interception and 2 fumble recoveries while finishing the season with an overall 69.0 grade from PFF — putting him 50th out of 170 eligible NFL safeties.

He also had 29 tackles and 1 interception in 3 playoff games as the Commanders advanced to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.

“BREAKING: Free agent safety Jeremy Chinn is signing with the #Raiders on a 2-year deal worth over $16M, including over 75% fully guaranteed at signing,” FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz wrote on his official X account. “A major addition to the Vegas secondary.”

Losing Chinn Means Betting Big On Martin

One reason the Commanders may have been so set on letting Chinn go is that they believe they have a star in safety Quan Martin, who could be in line for a big contract after this season.

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.

“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.”