The Dallas Cowboys found a potential long-term replacement for Zack Martin via the 2025 NFL draft, where they used their No. 12 pick overall to select Alabama Crimson Tide product Tyler Booker.
Perhaps in a much more ideal world, Booker would have landed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the team he grew up cheering for. But the Steelers were several notches behind the Cowboys in the draft.
Still, Booker will be playing for a historic football franchise in the Cowboys, a team he now pledges his loyalty to. Conversely, Booker said that the Steelers no longer appeal to him. Just like that.
“I grew up a Steelers fan,” Booker said (h/t Nick Farabaugh of pennlive.com). “Knowing that rivalry dates back to before I was born and even before my parents were born. I’m a football junkie, I love football. Growing up, watching A Football Life, all I seen was, ‘If you’re a Steelers fan, you’re supposed to hate the Cowboys.’ I’m a Dallas Cowboy now, so I hate the Steelers.”
Can Booker become the Dallas Cowboys’ next Zack Martin?
Tork Mason/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Booker has big shoes to fill for the Cowboys, as he is expected to cover the void left by a Pro Football Hall of Famer-caliber player in Martin, who decided to hang up his cleats in the offseason. And while he was a Steelers fan, Booker said that he followed Martin’s career.
Via Charean Williams of Pro Football Talk:
“I watched Zack Martin a lot growing up,” Booker said, via a transcript from the team. “He’s a Hall of Famer, but I think I would be doing me and the organization a disservice if I go in there trying to be Zack Martin. I’m going to be Tyler Booker every single day I’m in there and I’m going to learn parts of Zack Martin that made Zack Martin Zack Martin, made him so great. I’m going to add that to Tyler Booker. I’m not going to go in there trying to be Zack Martin. I’m going to go in there being Tyler Booker and learn from Zack Martin. That’s my goal, and I’m super excited to build a relationship with him and learn from him.”
Booker will be looked upon by the Cowboys to help the offensive line right away in his rookie season. In 2024, Dallas was ninth in the league in offensive sack rate percentage but 30th with only 4.0 yards per rushing attempt.
For More NFL and College Football News & Updates:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to regularly check out the latest Gridiron Heroics content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of NFL and college football in terms of transactions, analysis, game previews, free agency, recruitment, transfers, and more, just click here!
