Cowboys’ Zack Martin has the right to go out on his own terms. He’s earned that. | Opinion
Dallas Cowboys veteran offensive guard Zack Martin brought the topic up.
He wasn’t forced; he wasn’t coerced.
Retirement.
During the team’s mandatory minicamp in June, Martin acknowledged that retirement was in the “realm of possibilities” after the conclusion of the 2024 season. Ten seasons, every personal accomplishment in the book and an aging body.
Six months later and a disappointing 2024 season in hand, Martin’s year is over. And the question about his career being over is rightfully coming with it.
At 33-years old, anyone can understand why Martin has stepped on the gridiron for the last time. He entered the final year of his contract with the only professional team he’s ever known.
Despite playing in the least amount of games of his career (10), he’s allowed more sacks (five) and pressures (24) than any other season in his career.
His repeated inclusion on the injury report saw him deal with knee, shoulder and ankle issues before the latter forced him to have season-ending surgery. Those injuries don’t include a punch he took to the throat during his last game against the Houston Texans.
We saw it with Tyron Smith.
Injuries kept him out of multiple games each year as as he pushed further into his 30s. But until this season with the New York Jets, Smith’s level of play never dropped. It could be seen from a front office perspective that they let Smith walk at the right time and not too late.
Maybe that factors in with Martin. Maybe it doesn’t.
With Martin and what his future could look like, a lot of questions must be answered. And as Martin stated on Thursday in front of his locker with his name, No. 70 and nine Pro Bowl selections shining in blue and white LED lights from above, this isn’t the time to answer those questions.
In reality, the earliest Martin can even make that decision is March 16, 2025, the fifth day of the new league year. This past offseason, Martin restructured his contract to help the team spread his salary cap hit out into 2026, giving the Cowboys more flexibility toward the cap whether he returns or not. Once that date hits, that flexibility arrives and so does the path for his opportunity to return.
But until then while everyone speculates and preemptively writes off his presence in 2025, don’t write off his potential to come back.
Zack Martin has always been a team-first guy. He’s embodied toughness in the trenches for over a decade. He’s been the face of the leadership council as one of the longest-tenured players. His voice is respected, cherished and valued every time he speaks. Don’t be surprised if he decides to go out on his own terms, and not an ankle surgery that didn’t have him expecting to see his season end until just a few days before his expected return against Cincinnati.
While the future of the interior offensive line looks to be in good hands with upcoming young talents in Brock Hoffman and T.J. Bass already having proven themselves with starting experience, that spot at right guard is Martin’s until he says it’s not.
Granted, a return in 2025 for Martin doesn’t decrease the urgency for the Cowboys to continue to invest into the interior offensive line. But it’s an opportunity he deserves at the end of the day. Playing only 10 games during this lackluster season shouldn’t take that right away.
Even for a team that seemingly pushes the boundaries of urgency with every year that passes without playoff success, giving Martin his rightful spot back if it’s wanted in 2025 should still be available.
Whether we’ve seen the last of Martin or not, he’s a surefire Hall of Famer and his name will certainly be etched in the Ring of Honor at AT&T Stadium.
If he wants to go out on his own terms, that’s not something that can just be thrown out the window.
This story was originally published December 6, 2024 at 7:10 PM.
