ARLINGTON, TX – September, 14, 2026 – In his return to the NFL, Tay Martin put on a special teams clinic in the Detroit Lions’ Week 1 overtime victory over the New Orleans Saints. By the time the Lions walked into the locker room, Martin had done enough to earn something even more meaningful, a game ball from head coach Dan Campbell.
Martin, who spent the spring reviving his professional football career with the Columbus Aviators, earned a spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster this summer. His path to Detroit was helped along by Lions Associate Head Coach and Wide Receivers Coach Scottie Montgomery, who took an immediate liking to Martin after his first workout with the team.
Montgomery was impressed by Martin’s movement skills, physicality, and overall ability to contribute in multiple phases.
Scottie Montgomery on WR Tay Martin. pic.twitter.com/bt23yLi5ta
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 8, 2026
That spring work with the Aviators, followed by a strong NFL training camp, translated into a monster Week 1 performance. Martin recorded three solo tackles and earned an 84.9 special teams grade from PFF, one of the top marks in the league during the opening week.
As a gunner and coverage player, Martin consistently flew down the field as one of Detroit’s first players to the returner, helping limit New Orleans’ opportunities for explosive returns. His signature moment came in the second quarter. Martin completely blew up a punt return, racing down the field and making an incredible tackle for loss. It was the type of play that encapsulated exactly what Martin brought to Detroit in Week 1: speed, physicality, and a willingness to do the dirty work.
After the game, Campbell made sure that effort did not go unnoticed. The Lions head coach handed Martin a game ball in the locker room, recognizing the former UFL standout for his relentless performance on special teams.
First game of the year and a game ball goes to Tay Martin 😤
— United Football League (@TheUFL) September 13, 2026
🎥: Detroit Lions #UFLtoNFL pic.twitter.com/EWbESh8lKV
Martin has built a reputation throughout his journey as a player willing to embrace the less glamorous parts of the game. That showed up during the preseason as well. Along with hauling in a touchdown, Martin earned a 71.1 PFF run-blocking grade, further demonstrating his value beyond simply catching passes.
Now, just one week into his NFL return, Martin has already made an impression in Detroit. What started with a spring opportunity in the UFL has turned into a 53-man roster spot, a Week 1 victory, and a game ball from one of the NFL’s most respected head coaches.
Martin has officially hit the ground running, and now, the challenge is producing again.