Zack Martin Hints at Retirement as He Kicks Off 11th NFL Season

The Dallas Cowboys made it their mission to strengthen their offensive line this offseason following the departures of left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz. They focused on the NFL draft, selecting left tackle Tyler Guyton in the first round, center Cooper Beebe in the third, and tackle/guard Nathan Thomas in the seventh round. These moves were designed to prepare the Cowboys not only for the present but also for the future.

Right guard Zack Martin is entering his 11th season with the Cowboys and has been a model of consistency with nine All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. However, all good things come to an end, especially in the NFL, where the average career spans around four years. Martin’s career is approaching its climax, a reality he recently discussed during the Cowboys’ minicamp.

Martin has earned nine All-Pro nods and nine Pro Bowl selections in his first 10 seasons, with only a calf injury in 2020 preventing a clean sweep. He’s known for his elite technique, having been flagged just 21 times and logging nearly 10,000 snaps. However, the wear and tear of a long career are starting to show.

Despite a productive 2023 season, Martin feels he may not have played up to his usual standard of dominance. He has been working with offensive line guru Duke Manyweather to further refine his skills, something he also did during last year’s training camp.

Martin has set a high standard at guard in Dallas, comparable only to Hall of Famer Larry Allen. While it’s hard to think about a player of Martin’s caliber retiring, he has been in the league for over a decade, and such conversations are inevitable as his career winds down.