Cowboys Vet on the Outs in Dallas Addresses Uncertain Future

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2024 season has been everything but great. After getting bounced early in the playoffs last season by the Green Bay Packers, there was a belief that the Cowboys were “all in” and would bounce back this season.

That has been the furthest thing from the truth as the Cowboys have a record of 3-6 and are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot. With Dallas failing to live up to expectations, there’s been a lot of discussion about who will be the next head coach in 2025.

In addition to the possibility of a new head coach, Dallas’ 53-man roster could look drastically different this time next year. The Cowboys have several impending free agents, including All-Pro offensive lineman Zack Martin.

Martin has been with the Cowboys for 11 years since they drafted him in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft. The 33-year-old right guard is the elder statesman of an offensive line that saw Tyron Smith leave in free agency this offseason.

With Dallas deciding to get younger on the o-line over the last few years, Martin may be wearing a different helmet in 2025. Ahead of Monday night’s game against the Houston Texans, the vet was asked about his future with the team.

Martin responded, “Just taking it one week at a time” (h/t Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News).

The Cowboys don’t have someone ready to take Martin’s place in the starting lineup, but they could look to the draft to address the position. 

Heading into Week 10, the veteran offensive lineman was ranked eighth in ESPN’s IOL run block win rate rankings. 

In a perfect world, the Cowboys would likely want to keep Martin as he’s still one of the better guards in the league. However, with Dallas’ trajectory heading into the next season, it might be best for both sides to go their separate ways.

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