The Dallas Cowboys already had an extensive to-do list this offseason, and now they have one more big item to add to it.
Finding a replacement for guard Zack Martin.
Martin reportedly informed the Cowboys on Thursday that he plans to retire this offseason, leaving a huge hole on the team’s offensive line.
It was entirely possible the Cowboys were going to have to find a replacement for Martin whether he came back for another season or not because he was set to be a free agent this spring. But there still would have been the possibility of re-signing him if he wanted to play another season. Now that option is also off the table.
Martin, who turned 34 this past season, was one of the best interior lineman of his era and a dominant force at right guard in Dallas for the past 11 seasons.
He was a first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2014 and was an instant star in the league.
During his 11-year career, he was a first-team All-Pro seven times and a second-team All-Pro twice. He had only two years in the league where he did not receive some sort of All-Pro honor, and one of those seasons was the 2024 campaign that was cut short due to injury. The other was the 2020 season when he was limited to just 10 games.
In other words, if Martin played anything even close to a full season, he was pretty much an All-Pro lock. That sort of resume should make him an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer as soon as he is eligible.
The Cowboys are entering a big offseason under first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Along with finding upgrades for a roster that won only seven games, they also have to worry about contract extensions for several key players including edge-rusher Micah Parsons.
Now finding a new right guard — and leader — is going to move to the top of the list.
