Jacob Martin Bio
Jacob W. Martin (born December 11, 1995) is an American professional football defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Temple Owls, he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Over the course of his pro career, Martin has played for several NFL franchises, establishing himself as a reliable pass rusher and rotational defensive end. He is currently listed at 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 242 lb (110 kg), and he has built a reputation for consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
Since entering the league, Martin has suited up for the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, and Washington Commanders. In March 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders, continuing a journeyman career that has taken him across multiple divisions. Through the 2025 season, his career totals include 139 tackles, 26.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and six pass deflections.
Early Life and Background
Jacob W. Martin was born on December 11, 1995, in Aurora, Colorado, and grew up in the same Denver-area community. He attended Cherokee Trail High School in Aurora, where he developed into a promising defensive prospect. The Colorado native was raised in a family with strong football ties, an environment that helped shape his early interest in the sport.
Martin is the younger brother of Josh Martin, a retired NFL linebacker who played ten seasons in the league. Watching his older brother compete at the professional level gave Jacob an early understanding of what it took to reach and stay in the NFL. That family connection played a meaningful role as he prepared to take his own football career to the next stage.
Path to American Football
Martin continued his football journey at Temple University, where he played for the Temple Owls from 2014 to 2017. During his college career, he grew into one of the program’s most productive edge defenders, working his way into a significant role along the defensive line. His development at Temple helped position him for an opportunity in the NFL.
In 2017, Martin earned recognition as a Second-team All-American Athletic Conference (AAC) selection, a notable achievement that reflected his senior-season performance. Following that honor, he declared for the 2018 NFL draft, where the Seattle Seahawks selected him in the sixth round with the 186th overall pick. The draft selection marked the start of his professional career and set the stage for a long journey across multiple NFL rosters.
Jacob Martin Career
Early Career (2018)
Martin began his NFL career with the Seattle Seahawks after being drafted in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. His time in Seattle was brief, as the team explored options to reshape its defensive front. Although his rookie season did not feature heavily, the experience provided an early introduction to the speed and complexity of the professional game.
On August 31, 2019, the Seahawks traded Martin, along with outside linebacker Barkevious Mingo and a 2020 third-round pick, to the Houston Texans in exchange for Jadeveon Clowney. That move jump-started his career, putting him in a defensive rotation where he could focus on his strengths as an edge rusher.
Houston Texans Breakthrough (2019–2021)
During his first stint with the Houston Texans, Martin quickly became a productive rotational pass rusher. In a Week 9 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019, he forced a fumble on Gardner Minshew that was recovered by teammate Zach Cunningham in a 26–3 win. A few weeks later, in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, he recorded his first sack as a Texan, taking down Jacoby Brissett in the first quarter of a 20–17 victory. In the AFC Wild Card Game against the Buffalo Bills, Martin sacked Josh Allen and recovered a fumble forced by teammate Whitney Mercilus during a 22–19 overtime win.
In 2020, Martin opened the season with a sack of Patrick Mahomes against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 1. He was later placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in November before being activated later that month. The 2021 season proved to be one of his most productive, as he played all 17 games, defended three passes, forced two fumbles, and recorded a career-best 4.0 sacks to go along with 23 total tackles and five tackles for loss. During that year, he also scored the first safety of his career.
New York Jets and Denver Broncos Era (2022)
On March 17, 2022, the New York Jets signed Martin to a three-year, $16.5 million contract. The agreement reflected the value he had built as a pass rusher during his time in Houston, and the Jets expected him to contribute immediately as part of their defensive edge rotation. The deal represented one of the most significant contracts of his career to that point.
Martin’s time in New York was cut short when, on November 1, 2022, he was traded along with a 2024 fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick. Shortly after arriving in Denver, he was placed on injured reserve on December 14. The Broncos released him on May 10, 2023, ending a turbulent stretch that saw him change teams twice within a single calendar year.
Return to Houston and Indianapolis (2023)
On May 23, 2023, Martin signed again with the Houston Texans, returning to a familiar organization. The reunion was short-lived, however, as the Texans released him on August 29. Just two days later, on August 31, 2023, he signed with the Indianapolis Colts, continuing his search for a stable roster home. The constant movement highlighted the journeyman phase of his career.
Chicago Bears Era (2024)
Martin signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears on March 16, 2024, hoping to find a longer-term fit. His season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on August 27. He was later activated on October 26 and returned to the defensive rotation. The Bears stint allowed him to stay active in the league and prepare for another offseason of free agency.
Washington Commanders Era (2025)
On March 18, 2025, Martin signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Washington Commanders. The deal gave him an opportunity to contribute to a rebuilding defensive front and to play a meaningful role along the edge. He appeared in all 17 regular-season games, including 14 starts, during the 2025 campaign.
Across that season, Martin recorded one pass deflection, one forced fumble, 5.5 sacks, and 39 combined tackles for Washington. His production helped anchor the Commanders’ pass-rush rotation and provided veteran stability on the defensive line. The 2025 season represented one of the most consistent statistical stretches of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Martin has collected 26.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles, establishing himself as a dependable situational pass rusher. His first career safety, scored in 2021 with the Texans, stands out as a memorable milestone. The 2025 season with Washington, in which he started 14 games and posted 5.5 sacks, ranks among the most productive years of his professional tenure.
Jacob Martin Career Wins
Jacob Martin’s career is measured less in individual victories and more in the steady production he has brought to defensive fronts across the NFL. Since being drafted in 2018, he has tallied 26.5 sacks, 139 tackles, eight forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and six pass deflections through the 2025 season. His ability to contribute as both a pass rusher and a run defender has kept him in demand across multiple organizations.
NFL Highlights
Martin’s most notable performances include his three-sack effort in the 2019 AFC Wild Card Game against the Buffalo Bills, where he also recovered a fumble during a 22–19 overtime win. He recorded his first sack as a Texan against the Indianapolis Colts in 2019, opened the 2020 season with a sack of Patrick Mahomes, and produced a career-best 4.0 sacks in 2021. Most recently, he posted 5.5 sacks in 17 games (14 starts) during the 2025 season with the Washington Commanders.
Other Performances
Before reaching the NFL, Martin earned Second-team All-AAC honors in 2017 while at Temple, capping his college career with conference-wide recognition. That season served as a springboard to the NFL draft and helped establish the foundation for his professional resume.
Jacob Martin Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jacob Martin comes from a football family, with his older brother, Josh Martin, having played linebacker in the NFL for ten seasons. The brothers’ shared background in the sport helped shape Jacob’s understanding of the demands required to succeed at the highest level. Josh’s long NFL career served as both inspiration and reference point as Jacob pursued his own path in professional football.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Martin maintains a connection to his Colorado roots and continues to build his professional legacy in the NFL. Details about his personal relationships and residence are not widely documented in public sources.
2025 Season Performance
Jacob Martin joined the Washington Commanders on March 18, 2025, signing a one-year, $3 million contract to bolster the team’s defensive edge. The move came after a season in Chicago in which injuries limited his availability, and the opportunity in Washington gave him a chance to reclaim a featured role. He responded by appearing in all 17 regular-season games, including 14 starts.
During the 2025 season, Martin produced 5.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one pass deflection, and 39 combined tackles, providing consistent pressure off the edge. His production helped stabilize the Commanders’ defensive front and offered valuable veteran presence alongside younger pass rushers. The steady output marked one of the most complete statistical seasons of his career.
Heading into 2026 free agency, Martin’s performance in Washington positioned him as a proven rotational defender with starting experience. His ability to play both defensive end spots and contribute on passing downs made him an attractive option for teams in need of edge depth. The 2025 campaign reaffirmed his value as a reliable, multi-year NFL veteran.
