The Washington Commanders’ secondary was straight-up dreadful last season, no joke. They struggled big time, looking lost trying to stop virtually everything that came their way. Worse, some guys who looked like foundational pieces actually took massive steps backward, leaving everyone scratching their heads.
From Building Blocks to Backwards Steps: What Happened to Sainristil and Martin?
Talk about a gut punch: cornerback Mike Sainristil and safety Quan Martin, who were both seriously good in 2024, fell apart last season. Seriously, Martin was so promising that former defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. even said last summer he believed Martin could become one of the NFL’s best safeties. Woah. Whitt is gone now, but Sainristil and Martin are back, and they’ve got a new coach in defensive coordinator Daronte Jones. Jones, a Maryland native, came over from the Minnesota Vikings, where he was their secondary coach, and get this: he specifically mentioned Sainristil and Martin in his introductory press conference. You gotta wonder if he sees a bounce-back. With Jones in the building, plus the hope for Sainristil and Martin to return to their 2024 form, there are some reasons for optimism heading into 2026, especially with an improved pass rush. Plus, new blood like Amik Robertson and Nick Cross could inject some much-needed life.
The Camp Showdown: Who Starts Alongside Nick Cross?
The Commanders’ roster is stacked with corners like Sainristil, Robertson, Trey Amos, Ahkello Witherspoon, and Rasul Douglas, among others. At safety, you’ve got Percy Butler, Nick Cross, Will Harris, Quan Martin, Jeremy Reaves, and more. Looking at the locks for the 53-man roster, you’ve got Sainristil, Amos, Robertson, Cross, Martin, Harris, and Reaves. Veterans like Witherspoon and Douglas are almost certainly making it, too, giving them crucial depth at corner. Robertson is expected to start at one of the corner spots, probably in the slot, while Sainristil and Amos look like the starting outside cornerbacks. Nick Cross is a definite starter at safety, but the real fireworks are going to be for that spot opposite him. The training camp battle to watch? It’s Will Harris versus Quan Martin. Harris played well before his injury early last season and brings that excellent communication and physical presence. The big question is if his style overlaps too much with Cross. Then there’s Martin, who can play multiple positions. The team clearly still believes in him, and they might use him in a hybrid role, but he *has* to prove last season was just a fluke.
So, the burning question everybody’s asking right now is if Mike Sainristil can get back on track. He crushed it as a rookie in 2024, showing he could play inside or outside, but last season? He didn’t look comfortable anywhere. It’s crucial for the Commanders that he returns to that rookie form for Week 1. This whole secondary needs to prove it can stop virtually anything, and the performances in this camp will set the tone for the entire season. We’re all watching to see who steps up and locks down those spots as we head toward the start of the regular season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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