After contemplating retirement and later admitting that it was “in the realm of possibilities” last offseason, Dallas Cowboys All-Pro right guard Zack Martin decided to play for the 2024 season. Unfortunately, Martin’s 11th season was cut short due to injury and only lasted ten games. He suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football and was later shut down for the season leading up to Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Also Read: Cowboys: Announced Devastating/Possibly Career-Altering News Regarding Future Hall of Famer
The Dallas Cowboys was set to hit free agency for the first time in his career
Since he completed the final year of his 2-year, $36,850,000 restructured contract, which he signed during the 2023 offseason, Zack Martin was set to hit free agency for the first time in his NFL career. Since Martin restructured his contract last offseason, his contract voids and the Cowboys will incur a dead cap hit of $26.46 million for 2025. After coming off a season-ending injury and previously contemplating retirement a season ago, he entered the offseason with the real possibility of retiring.
He has made his final decision.
Cowboys Future Hall of Famer expected to retire
According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, Zack Martin informed the Cowboys that he plans on retiring this offseason.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34. pic.twitter.com/M4RqV7VoB8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
Since the Cowboys do not have much cap space, with $2.47 million to work with, they will process his retirement as a post-June 1st cut, allowing his $26.46 million dead cap to be spread into the 2026 offseason. They will free up $1.255 million cap space and incur a dead cap hit of $9.4 million for 2025 and $17.060 million for 2026.
Next stop, Canton
Zack Martin had a great 11-year career in the NFL with Dallas after being the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He started 162 regular season and nine playoff games throughout his tenure, earning himself nine Pro Bowls and seven First-Team All-Pro Selections. Martin will undoubtedly be a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and has a good chance of being a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
Next stop, Canton, Ohio.
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