The Truth About Being a Journeyman in the NFL | Washington Commanders DE Jacob Martin

Summary

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Stay Tranquilo Podcast

Episode: The Truth About Being a Journeyman in the NFL | Washington Commanders DE Jacob Martin
Release Date: March 6, 2026
Guest: Jacob Martin, Defensive End, Washington Commanders

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Overview

This laid-back yet insightful episode dives into the real, unvarnished life of an NFL journeyman with defensive end Jacob Martin. The conversation explores what it’s like to be traded, adapt to new teams, and maintain a resilient mindset. Beyond football, Jacob discusses his passion for dogs, his advocacy work for animal shelters, and the small joys that bring meaning off the field. Expect candid stories, wisdom about overcoming adversity, and a few laughs about four-legged friends.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Jacob Martin’s NFL Journey: The Realities of Being a Journeyman

• Mindset and Adaptability:

  • Jacob describes himself as a "true journeyman," emphasizing resilience and adaptability.
  • “You know, I have been traded twice in my career. You know, most guys go through a career and have never been traded. Oftentimes there's a stigma...as if you’re a problem child or something like that, right? No, I'm a good person, bro.” (Jacob Martin, 01:41)
  • Being a journeyman has helped him focus on preparation and flexibility: “It has allowed me to really hone in on who I am as a football player, who I am as a competitor, as an athlete in terms of preparation, man.” (Jacob Martin, 01:41)
  • “I'm a bet on myself, you know, 100 of the time, dog.” (Jacob Martin, 02:59)

• Trading and Demand:

  • The hosts and Jacob emphasize that being traded is not inherently negative—it's evidence of ongoing demand and value.
  • “As long as somebody wants you. As long as one person wants you. Every year now you're a 10 year vet, you know what I mean? So it's really not the end of the world.” (Podcast Host 2, 03:15)

New Defensive Coordinator & Scheme Fit

• Excitement for Aggressive Playcalling:
  • Jacob shares his anticipation about the Washington Commanders’ new defensive coordinator who comes from Minnesota and Brian Flores’ famously aggressive scheme.
  • “I have loved the things they've done over there...in terms of their aggressive play from the top down...you don't know who's blitzing, you don't know who's dropping. Yeah, I love that.” (Jacob Martin, 03:36)
  • On thriving in such a scheme: “That is, in my opinion, the best defense for a guy like me. I'm very versatile in terms of the things I can do.” (Jacob Martin, 03:36)
  • “I'm excited to see the things they can come up with and just like DQ's ability to hone in on what people do great and bring that out.” (Jacob Martin, 04:25)

Jacob’s Bond with Dogs & Advocacy Work

• On-Set Canine Guest:

  • Jacob introduces Whiskey, his canine companion and coworker with Dog TV, who even steals the spotlight with tricks. (04:49-05:28)
  • “She's one of my coworkers, actually, over at Dog TV...she is awesome.” (Jacob Martin, 04:49)

• Advocacy and Shelter Support:

  • Jacob describes his long-standing involvement with animal shelters across the cities he’s lived and his partnership with Dog TV.
  • “Throughout my career about the, the wonderful opportunity to be an advocate for multiple shelters...and Dog TV has been great to partner with, help me bring light to dogs in the shelter.” (Jacob Martin, 09:01)
  • Offers practical advice: “If you have dogs, you know, turn on Dog TV, man. It's a great way to stimulate your dogs when you're not at the house, man.” (Jacob Martin, 09:01)

Reflections on Being Traded—and NFL Business Reality

• Emotional Impact of Trades:

  • Jacob recounts the story of being traded from the Seahawks just after being named a starter, and the emotional weight that came with it.
  • “You dream to be like, okay, I'm gonna be a one team guy, you know, I am gonna be a Seahawk for life. And then they trade you, you know, and that's, this is all, you know, this is your only NFL experience.” (Jacob Martin, 07:26)
  • Memorable anecdote: “Took my soul, like...” (Jacob Martin, 05:47)
  • He was traded for Jadeveon Clowney, which offered some consolation:
    “Damn, I'm Jacob Martin, a six-round draft pick and I just got traded for the number one overall pick.” (Jacob Martin, 08:07)

• Embracing What’s Meant for You:

  • “What's meant for you is...it's for you.” (Jacob Martin, 08:42)
  • “Everything happens for a reason.” (Podcast Host 3, 08:43)

Jacob’s Own Dogs

• He has three dogs:
  • Golden Retriever ("Bubba”)
  • Black Lab mix
  • Bernese Mountain Dog (“Mabel”)
    (See 09:56)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You know, I've been traded twice. It's been a hell of a ride. I kind of just roll with the punches, man.” (Jacob Martin, 01:41)
• “You don't know who's blitzing, you don't know who's dropping...I love that.” (Jacob Martin, 03:36)
• On being traded for a star: “Damn, I'm Jacob Martin, a six round draft pick and I just got traded for the number one overall pick.” (Jacob Martin, 08:07)
• “Throughout my career...the wonderful opportunity to be an advocate for multiple shelters throughout the different areas I've lived.” (Jacob Martin, 09:01)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:41] – Jacob Martin on being a journeyman and the stigma of being traded
• [02:59] – Betting on himself and controlling his own destiny
• [03:36] – Excitement about Commanders’ new defense and fit for his skillset
• [04:49] – Introducing Whiskey, his dog and Dog TV partner
• [05:47–08:23] – Story of being traded from Seattle and personal impact
• [09:01] – Advocacy work for animal shelters and partnership with Dog TV
• [09:56] – Jacob lists his dogs’ names and breeds

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Tone & Flow

The conversation remains laid-back, encouraging, and honest, balancing practical NFL business realities with lighthearted stories about dogs and community work. It’s candid, sometimes funny, but always focused on resilience—true to the “Stay Tranquilo” spirit.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

Expect insights about life as an NFL journeyman, why adversity can be a gift, and how off-field passions (like supporting animals) shape a player's day-to-day. Jacob’s blend of football wisdom and dog love makes for a heartfelt and humanizing episode—one that reminds listeners to bet on themselves and embrace what comes their way.

Transcript

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[Podcast Host 1]

All right, all right, all right.

[Podcast Host 2]

That's my go to intro.

[Podcast Host 3]

I, I every single time I'm going,

[Jacob Martin]

All right, all right, all right.

[Podcast Host 3]

These guys, they love it

[Jacob Martin]

work.

[Podcast Host 2]

Everyone, everyone's locked in now.

[Jacob Martin]

Let's go.

[Podcast Host 3]

Yeah.

[Jacob Martin]

You want me to go full intro?

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 3]

We've got a full, full cast here. All right, we are joined special episode, Jacob Martin. How you doing, my man?

[Jacob Martin]

I'm doing well, man. Thank you guys for having me, bro.

[Podcast Host 1]

Absolutely appreciate you guys having me on, man. Appreciate you for coming on.

[Jacob Martin]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

So want to definitely talk about you. I know we got a limited amount of time, but tell us about you, your career kind of where, what's, what's going on in your life nowadays.

[Jacob Martin]

Shoot, man, I am a, what they call a true journeyman dog, you know. Love it. You know, I have been traded twice in my career. You know, most guys go through a career and have never been traded. You know, oftentimes there's a, a stigma about being traded as if, like, you know, you may be like a problem child or something like that, right? No, I'm a good person, bro. So, so, you know, I've been traded twice. It's been, been a hell of a ride. I kind of just rolled the punches, man, and it's allowed me to really hone in on who I am as a football player, who I am as a, as a competitor, as an athlete in terms of preparation, man. It has allowed me to hone in on the things that you really need to focus on, you know, so I can really? Plug and play for anybody. Yeah, I mean, that's, that's just my mindset and, you know, keep the ball rolling, dog. Absolutely.

[Podcast Host 1]

I mean, I think that's a testament to, to the NFL as a whole. Right. A lot of these journeymen like yourself, but. But it's that adversity, I think, that keeps you going every single year, right?

[Gatorade Announcer]

Yeah.

[Jacob Martin]

Yeah, man. Like, I, I would much rather battle myself, you know, going into any situation.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Jacob Martin]

Than relying on, you know, someone getting hurt or a gm, you know, making the right call or a coach making the right call. You know, I'm a bet on myself, you know, 100 of the time, dog.

[Podcast Host 1]

Absolutely.

[Podcast Host 2]

Go ahead.

[Podcast Host 3]

My bad.

[Jacob Martin]

So, like, that's. I'm a rock. Yeah, but okay.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, like you were saying, though, a lot of people see being traded or released as a bad thing, but like, like being traded, it's a demand still. As long as somebody wants you. As long as one person wants you. Every year now you're a 10 year vet, you know what I mean? So it's really not the end of the world. I want to talk a little bit about the new DC too. You got 26 and a half sacks in your career. Comes from Minnesota. A very aggressive scheme under Flores. That's got to be exciting, right?

[Jacob Martin]

Yeah, that's. I have loved the things they've done over there in Minnesota, you know, in terms of their aggressive play from the top down, from their secondary to the, from the linebackers to, you know, that, that D line. You don't know who's blitzing, you don't know who's dropping. Yeah, I love that, man. I love that. So, like, that's. That is, in my opinion, that is the best defense for a guy like me. You know, I'm very versatile in terms of the things I can do, you know, and obviously I can line up, put my hand on the ground and play you, you know, base football. But I would like to. My, My skill set is being fast and have great hands, great get off. So be able to move up and down the line of scrimmage or drop into coverage here and there, you know, here and there, dog. But like, I didn't say that.

[Gatorade Announcer]

I didn't say.

[Jacob Martin]

But, you know, like, I'm excited to see the things they can come up with and just like DQ's ability to hone in on. On what people do. Great. And bring that out of people. I'm excited to see what he can bring out of him as well.

[Podcast Host 3]

Oh, yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, yeah. I know we're limited on time. So I know. I want to touch on it. Right. Talk to us about your work, you know, in like, the veterinarian space. You got your dog on here on set.

[Jacob Martin]

So. So that's Whiskey. She's one. She's One of. One of my co workers, actually, over at Dog tv. And this is her. Her handler.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh.

[Jacob Martin]

And she is awesome. Come on, Whiskey. Well, come over here, Whiskey.

[Podcast Host 3]

You're gonna steal the show.

[Jacob Martin]

Give me Whiskey.

[Lowe's Announcer]

Come here, Come here.

[Podcast Host 1]

Here we go.

[Lowe's Announcer]

Come here.

[Jacob Martin]

That's a good job. That's a good job. Oh, yeah.

[Podcast Host 1]

That's awesome.

[Podcast Host 2]

The things a dog would do for a treat.

[Jacob Martin]

Oh, yeah, she's. She is a. A fiend for him. She does a good job. She's. She's been dealing with me all day.

[Podcast Host 1]

She's a trooper for hanging around on Meteoroma.

[Podcast Host 3]

Honestly, you guys were talking football and I was just watching the dog

[Podcast Host 2]

the whole time. I want to talk a little bit about this. It's kind of crazy. We have another guest that's kind of similar. The team you were drafted by is in the Super Bowl.

[Jacob Martin]

Yeah.

[Podcast Host 2]

How does that kind of make you feel?

[Jacob Martin]

Dude, I'm not going to lie to you, man. Me and Seattle got some beef, bro. Like, we got some. We got some serious beef, man. Because in. In 2019, the year I got traded from Seattle, there was a whole, like, off season dispute about if they're going to bring back Frank Clark or not. He ended up going to Kansas City. Yeah, I had just got named the starter, like, coming off of like a crazy preseason, you know, like playing really good football. We leave, we played. The last piece of the game was a Thursday night. I remember this, like, to the, like, because it's like, took my soul, like. No, but, but like, yeah, so I'm. I'm out in. I'm out in Pennsylvania and just like, you know, went back to Temple. That kind of thing. Kick. Kick around Philly for a little bit before the season really kicked off. I land in Philly, I'm on my way, like, to the hotel. I get a phone call. I guess the. This at this point, it's like a Saturday. I get a phone call saying, like, hey, Jake, we're trading you to the Texans. I'm just like, bro, what? To the Texans, dog. And like, you know, Texans were a good football team. So I really didn't. Didn't like, you know, didn't really care. But, like, you know, as a kid, you know, you dream to be like, okay, I'm gonna be on this. I'm gonna Be a one team guy, you know, I am gonna be a Seahawk for life. And then they trade you, you know, and that's, this is all, you know, this is your only NFL experience. You know, you're in the, in the football world. You know, back then was like when Pete was the head coach.

[Podcast Host 1]

Right.

[Jacob Martin]

You know, it was considered like Disney World, man. Like, it was a great time in Seattle, dog. Like you were out of pads after week three, you know, like, you know, you had a beautiful drive up the lake every day to work, you know, you had great weather, great food, great people, you know, so you have all these, you know, great things going for you and then to have it all ripped away and never here. But, but shoot, man, but it was, it was a, it was a very, it was a very trying time, but I think like we realize that like, damn, I'm Jacob Martin, a six round draft pick and I just got traded for the number one overall pick.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, that's a good way to put it.

[Jacob Martin]

Jadevion Clowney. Yeah, that's what they traded for. You know what I mean? So like, you know, me and JD are close. You know, our, our path has kind of been intertwined over the years, you know, in terms of playing with each other or against each other, you know, or having similar friends, kicking and stuff like that on the weekends.

[Podcast Host 1]

Yeah.

[Jacob Martin]

But yeah, man, like it was, that was a, you know, it was a dope experience.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah. Like you said. So you're headed back to Rug or Temple, you're feeling good, you got a starting job, you're like, I'm about to slide in some dms telling you it's

[Podcast Host 1]

a crazy world, but at the end of the day, what's meant for you is.

[Jacob Martin]

It's for you, man. It's for you.

[Podcast Host 3]

What happens for everything happens for a reason.

[Jacob Martin]

Yeah, man.

[Podcast Host 3]

Before you head out, we do got

[Podcast Host 1]

to talk about I, I, the work that you do as a vet.

[Podcast Host 3]

Talk a little bit about the work you do and you know, what dogs mean to you. I'm a big dog guy. I've got a Vizla back home. He's literally my best friend.

[Jacob Martin]

I'm a big, I'm a big dog guy. I have three dogs myself, you know, and I throughout my career about the, the wonderful opportunity to be an advocate for multiple shelters throughout the different areas I've lived, whether that be Paula Chicago or the HRA in D.C. and dog TV is, has been great to partner with them and them help me bring light to dogs in the shelter, you know, so it's been super rewarding to work with those guys and the great things that they do. And if you have dogs, you know, turn on dog tv, man. It's a great way to stimulate your dogs when you're not at the house, man. Like I said, I have three dogs myself, man. And I know when I'm not, when I'm not at the at the house or I know I'm not going to be there for long periods of time, you know, I'll throw on dog tv.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, yeah, that's like you get it through the Roku app, like street, like a streaming type channel. Okay, dope. I want to do that for sure.

[Podcast Host 3]

And last time, I know you got to get out of here. What dogs you have? Like, what breeds?

[Jacob Martin]

So I have, my oldest is a golden retriever. His name is Bubba.

[Podcast Host 1]

Love that.

[Jacob Martin]

I have a black lab mix, his name. And then I have a Bernese mountain dog and her name is Mabel.

[Podcast Host 1]

Nice.

[Jacob Martin]

Nice.

[Podcast Host 3]

Awesome. Awesome.

[Podcast Host 1]

Oh, yeah, brother. Well, appreciate you for coming on. We got to do this again longer time, but there's a lot, a lot more to talk about. But appreciate you for coming on.

[Podcast Host 2]

Yeah, the crowd's getting crazy. Whiskey's got a whole performance.

[Podcast Host 1]

I saw him doing, like, some roll.

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