Washington Commanders free safety Quan Martin is making a legitimate push for first-string consideration after recording his second interception in as many preseason games.

Martin’s latest takeaway came off veteran journeyman quarterback Josh Dobbs, and the play demonstrated exactly the kind of ball-hawking instinct Washington’s defense desperately needs heading into 2026.

And, it’s a great story considering Martin’s potential after a solid sophomore year that unfortunately led to double-shoulder surgery that certainly impacted his junior season.

Commanders safety Quan Martin read Lions quarterback Dobbs like a book in their preseason matchup

Martin read a rollout play to the right perfectly, understood his leverage, and understood where Dobbs was going with the ball. He came away with a crucial turnover for Washington, the kind of play that will be a massive point of emphasis for this team if it wants to stay in ball games this year.

Martin, currently listed as the No. 2 free safety behind Jeremy Reaves, is giving the Commanders something to seriously think about when it comes to his impact on the defense.

Last season he posted 99 total tackles, one forced fumble, and three passes defended. Now it looks like he’s starting to find his footing as a turnover machine.

The secondary can’t afford to ignore this

The defensive backfield in Washington is not good enough to overlook what Martin has done so far. Trey Amos, Amik Robertson, and Mike Sainristil at cornerback will likely stay put at their respective positions.

But Nick Cross and Reaves at safety? I don’t think there’s a sizable gap between their play and Martin’s play for a possible roster shakeup before Week 1.

Here’s the point: Washington had the second-worst turnover differential in the league last year at -13. The Commanders managed only eight interceptions and two fumble recoveries. That’s 10 total turnovers throughout their entire 2025 season.

On the other side, they had 23 giveaways on offense. The only team worse was the New York Jets – and they were a team that didn’t record a single interception in 2025.
The best team in the league last year was Chicago with a +22 turnover differential, and only 13 teams finished with a positive number in 2025.

Washington needs to climb above that line

Washington needs to find its way above the negative differential line in 2026. It is paramount for the defense and the entire team’s success to not be operating in the red. Quan Martin could be a difference maker in pushing the Commanders into the positive.

Martin’s third preseason game will be highly important for team depth and his case for a larger role. Two interceptions in two games is the kind of trajectory that earns you snaps in September, and this defense can’t afford to leave playmakers on the bench.