Zack Martin, veteran offensive guard for the Dallas Cowboys raised the subject.
It was not forced; he was not forced.
Retirement.
During the team’s mandatory minicamp in June, Martin acknowledged that retirement was imminent. “domain of possibilities” after the conclusion of the 2024 season. Ten seasons, every personal achievement 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 of the end of his career comes rightly so.
At 33, everyone can understand why Martin stepped on the field for the last time. He’s entering the final year of his contract with the only professional team he’s ever known.
Despite playing the fewest games of his career (10), he 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 problems before the latter forced him to retire. undergo end-of-season surgery. Those injuries do not include a punch he received in the throat during his last game against the Houston Texans.
We saw it with Tyron Smith.
Injuries kept him out of several games each year as he moved into his thirties. But until this season with the New York Jets, Smith’s level of play never dropped. From a front office perspective, you could see that they let Smith walk at the right time and not too late.
Maybe it’s Martin. Maybe not.
With Martin and what his future might look like, there are a lot of questions to answer. And as Martin said Thursday in front of his locker with his name, number 70 and nine Pro Bowl selections shining with blue and white LED lights from above, now is not the time to answer those questions.
In fact, the first Martin can even do this the decision is March 16, 2025, fifth day of the new championship year. This past offseason, Martin restructured his contract to help the team stretch his salary cap through 2026, giving the Cowboys more cap flexibility whether he returns or not. Once this date is reached, this flexibility arrives, as does the path to its return.
But until then, while everyone is speculating and preemptively writing off his presence in 2025, don’t rule out his comeback potential.
Zack Martin has always been a team guy. He has embodied toughness in the trenches for over a decade. He is the face of the management board and one of the longest serving 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 give him hope of seeing his season end just days before his return expected against Cincinnati.
While the future of the interior offensive line appears to be in good hands with the young emerging talents of Brock Hoffman and TJ Bass Having already proven himself with starting experience, that spot at right guard belongs to Martin until he says it doesn’t.
Certainly, a 2025 return for Martin doesn’t diminish the urgency for the Cowboys to continue investing in the interior offensive line. But it’s an opportunity he ultimately deserves. Playing only 10 games during this lackluster season shouldn’t make that go away just yet.
Even for a team that seems to push the limits of urgency every year that goes unsuccessfully in the playoffs, returning Martin to his rightful spot if he wants 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 definitely be engraved on the ring of honor at AT&T Stadium.
If he wants to leave on his own terms, that’s not something that can be thrown out the window.
