The Dallas Cowboys are hard at work preparing for the 2025 season under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who has been trusted to deliver the organization back to the playoffs following a middle campaign.
Fans expect a quick turnaround, leaving Schottenheimer with a difficult job as a rookie coach despite the obvious talent on a roster led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb, and Micah Parsons. That said, there was clear holes that prevented the team from reaching its celing in 2024.
Unfortunately for the Cowboys, they just suffered their first major player loss of the offseason and are now stuck with a gargantuan hole to fill.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
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
Legendary Cowboys G Zack Martin Announces NFL Retirement
According to Tom Pelissero and The Insiders of NFL Network, Zack Martin is hanging up his cleats after 11 spectacular seasons.
Originally selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin is a defining Cowboy of the last decade and as successful as anyone who stepped foot in the building during that time period. He is a nine-time All-Pro, earning First-Team honors seven times, starting all 162 games he ever suited up for. Martin is a no-doubt Hall of Fame player, leaving massive shoes that will be nearly impossible to fill.
Martin appeared in only 10 games this year due to injury and at 34 years old, it was growing clear that his career was nearing its conclusion. Nonetheless, he had a year left on his contract and many expected him to give it one more season. While not the dominant player he once was, Martin still ranked 48th out of 135 qualified guards at Pro Football Focus.
For Dallas, they now have to replace one of the true legends in Cowboys history. Brock Hoffman started seven games in Martin's place in 2024, though he's not a legitimate long-term solution.
There's real concern about where Dallas goes from here and how to spend their draft capital but for now, fans should congratulate Martin on a Hall of Fame career, proud that he only ever wore a Cowboys uniform.