Dan Quinn sent a crystal-clear message to a Commanders defender after recent struggles, and it might be the final straw for him

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Josh Taylor | Last updated Dec 26, 2025 4:24 PM ET

The Washington Commanders had a chance to beat the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, but their efforts came up short after many struggles on defense.

Between the explosive plays and the 100% fourth-down conversion rate by the Cowboys, the Commanders' defense never gave the offense a chance to win the game. One player hit a new rock bottom in both play and snap counts, and it's likely the end for him after this season.

The game really got away from the Commanders when safety Quan Martin gave up an 86-yard touchdown, and he didn't play much after that.

Quan Martin hit a new low with bad play against the Cowboys

This was supposed to be a huge season for Martin after head coach Dan Quinn praised him this offseason, but he somehow got much worse after recovering from injuries to both shoulders, and he's unplayable at this point. Martin is the 86th-ranked safety in the NFL on PFF out of 100 safeties, and the numbers back it up. He allows 19.4 yards per reception, which is the most by all safeties, and also has 15 missed tackles, which is the most he's had in a season.

The nail in the coffin was giving up an 86-yard touchdown to Kavontae Turpin after being completely flat-footed in what looks to be inverted Tampa-2 coverage.

This is just a brutal rep from Quan Martin. He only logged 28 plays of 92 possible for the #Commanders against Dallas.

Will Harris got all 92, Jeremy Reaves got 77.#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/V85BB0uS5Q
— Full Command (@CommandersHtt) December 26, 2025

The touchdown came on 3rd and 11 after the Commanders pinned the Cowboys at the three-yard line to start the drive, and it's just inexcusable on every level. The Cowboys went up 21-3 after that touchdown, and Martin didn't play much after that. Martin had a season-low 28 snaps after having almost 60 snaps each of the last two games. He's been unplayable this season, and the Commanders need to fix the safety room desperately this offseason.

This is the weakest tackle attempt ever

Look at Quan Martin trying to tackle Deandre swiftpic.twitter.com/9m5dhuHcLR
— Playoff Sports (@PlayoffSports_) October 14, 2025

The Commanders have one of the worst safety rooms in the NFL

Will Harris has been serviceable when he was healthy, but the rest of the safety room doesn't deserve a starting spot, or a rotational position either. Martin has 15 missed tackles, while Jeremy Reaves has 14, and Percy Butler doesn't even play defense anymore, with only 20 snaps on the season. Reaves will probably stick around for one more year with his contract and play on special teams, but none of the three belong on defense. Darnell Savage asked to be released at the beginning of December, and he was better than Reaves, Butler, and Martin.

The Commanders will absolutely be in play for a blue-chip prospect like Caleb Downs in the NFL draft or a free agent like Bryan Cook because of how bad the safety play is. Yes, the Commanders need to add a top pass-rusher as well, but the secondary gives up too many big plays, can't tackle in space, and it all has to be addressed as well.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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