Jacob

Martin

Once part of a Jadeveon Clowney trade with the Texans, Martin has bounced around as a veteran pass-rush presence since his rookie deal expired. At 29 years old, Martin has something left in the tank and a talent-maximizer like Dan Quinn will undoubtedly deploy Martin as an effective member of the edge rotation. Martin totaled 17 quarterback pressures, three sacks, and 10 tackles last year.

Martin totaled seven tackles and two sacks in 2023 with the Colts and has amassed 18 sacks over his six-year career. The former sixth-round pick has also spent time with the Seahawks, Texans, Broncos, and Jets. Martin has been utilized primarily as a pass rusher for his career, and will likely serve as a rotational pass rusher with the Bears.

Martin was cut from the Texans during roster cutdowns but will remain in the AFC South. The former sixth-round pick has totaled 16 sacks in five seasons, but has never had more than four sacks in a season. Martin provides additional depth to the Colts’ roster but shouldn’t be counted on as a high-impact signing.

This signing marks a reunion for the two sides after Martin spent three seasons with the Texans (2019-2021) before leaving for the Jets last offseason. Martin will likely serve as a situational pass rusher for head coach DeMeco Ryans, who continues to add to his defense. Martin has 16 career sacks to his name but finished with a career-low 2.5 sacks last season while splitting time with the Broncos and Jets.

He was just cut yesterday, so this is a pretty strong sign of interest by the Texans. Martin was with Houston from 2019-2021 and was part of the Jadeveon Clowney trade with the Seahawks. He’d likely be a depth piece for Houston if signed.

The Broncos traded for Martin last November, just nine months after the Jets signed him to a three-year contract. Martin, 27, appeared in a grand total of 13 games last season, totaling 2.5 sacks while forcing one fumble. During his time with the Broncos, Martin appeared in five games but had the final month of the season cut short due to a knee injury. The Broncos save $3.82 million against the cap with the release of Martin, who could catch on with another team ahead of training camp. The former sixth-rounder has 16 career sacks and could serve as added depth as a situational pass rusher.

The Jets signed Martin to a three-year deal earlier this offseason, but the veteran EDGE rusher has been buried on the depth chart for most of the season. Through eight games, Martin has just three tackles and 1.5 sacks and has registered 15 career sacks since entering the league in 2018. Martin likely becomes the replacement for Bradley Chubb, who the Broncos shipped to Miami prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline. The Broncos are also giving up a 2024 fourth-round pick in exchange for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

Martin, 26, was part of the Texans’ return when they traded Jadeveon Clowney to Seattle a couple offseason ago. The former sixth-rounder appeared in all 17 games for the Texans last year, starting 14 of those, and was in on a career-high 61% of the defensive snaps, racking up four sacks. He has 13.5 sacks through four years and gives the Jets a capable presence off the edge.

Martin had a career-high four sacks last year, starting for the first time in his career. But he was underwhelming as a run defender and has never been a great tackler. He’s a fine depth option, but the Texans should be hoping to find someone better to start in free agency or the draft.

Identified as a close contract of COVID-positive Jacob Martin, Mercilus and LB Dylan Cole cannot rejoin the team until they return five days of negative tests. That will not happen in time to suit up for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars. It means the Texans will be without three different linebackers. That is football during the time of COVID. Veteran Mercilus has four sacks through seven games, though he has earned poor marks from Pro Football Focus in the process.