FRISCO, Texas — Zack Martin, one of the crucial embellished offensive linemen in Dallas Cowboys historical past, opted to retire, sources advised ESPN.
Martin, 34, met with proprietor and normal supervisor Jerry Jones on Thursday to tell him of his resolution, sources stated.
Martin was a nine-time Professional Bowl choice in 11 years with the Cowboys. Solely Corridor of Famers Bob Lilly (11), Larry Allen (10) and Mel Renfro (10), together with Jason Witten (11), who’s eligible for the Corridor of Fame for the primary time this season, have been named to extra. Martin was a first-team All-Professional choose seven occasions, which is tied for essentially the most in crew historical past with Lilly and Corridor of Famer Randy White.
Martin’s seven first-team All-Professional picks are also tied with Corridor of Famers Randall McDaniel and John Hannah for essentially the most amongst guards all time, in line with ESPN Analysis. The one participant with extra first-team All-Professional picks since Martin entered the NFL in 2014 is retired Los Angeles Rams defensive sort out Aaron Donald (8).
Martin additionally had solely seven accepted holding penalties in his profession, equaling his variety of first-team All-Professional nods.
A primary-round choose in 2014, Martin began 162 video games, lacking a couple of sport in a season simply twice: 2020 and 2024. As well as, he was named to the NFL’s All-Decade crew from 2010 to ’20.
In 2024, he was restricted to 10 video games due to an ankle harm that required surgical procedure. He performed via a number of accidents throughout his final two seasons till he not had the power to maintain his elite stage of play.
Martin quashed discuss of retirement final summer season throughout coaching camp and when his season ended. Throughout a number of appearances earlier than Tremendous Bowl LIX, Martin stated he needed to get wholesome earlier than deciding on his future.
Martin held out most of coaching camp in 2023 earlier than signing an adjusted contract that assured him $36 million over the previous two seasons and made him the third-highest-paid guard within the NFL.
Martin reworked his contract final offseason, permitting the Cowboys to realize some wage cap aid if he opted to retire in 2025. The Cowboys can designate him a post-June 1 lower, which suggests he’ll depend $9.4 million towards the cap in 2025 and $17 million towards the 2026 cap.
His absence creates a void on and off the sector for the Cowboys.
Brock Hoffman stuffed in admirably for Martin final season, however the Cowboys may look to the draft or free company to fill Martin’s spot. Martin was one of many crew’s most influential leaders, serving on the gamers’ council underneath coaches Jason Garrett and Mike McCarthy in his time.
Although not essentially the most vocal, Martin’s day-to-day dedication was admired by teammates.
Up subsequent for Martin is probably going a spot within the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame after a five-year ready interval.
