Cowboys Country

Small Zack Martin decision did Cowboys one final financial favor

Zack Martin did one final favor for the Dallas Cowboys.
Matt Galatzan|
Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin blocks during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium
Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin blocks during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium | Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images

In this story:

Dallas Cowboys | News, Scores, Schedules & Standings

Zack Martin is without a doubt one of the best players in the history of the Dallas Cowboys franchise and is deserving of a spot alongside his fellow greats in the Ring of Honor.

For 11 seasons, Martin was the standard for how right guard should be played in the NFL, with the former first-round pick being named to seven first-team All-Pro teams, two second-team All-Pro teams, and nine Pro Bowls.

All the while, he was the anchor and arguably the most critical piece of the team's offensive line over that time, alongside Tyron Smith, starting 162 of a possible 178 regular season games over his 11 seasons.

MORE: Cowboys' top 'summer breakout candidate' could make defensive splash

And now, he is doing the Cowboys one final favor.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and guard Zack Martin celebrate during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks.
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and guard Zack Martin celebrate during the second half against the Seattle Seahawks. | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

According to Spotrac, Martin's decision to retire after June 1 will reduce his cap hit to $8.8 million, saving the Cowboys $1.2 million in 2025 toward their overall salary cap, though that money will go to Martin as an injury settlement. In 2026, Martin's Cap hit will sit at $16.4 million.

Martin and the Cowboys had agreed to a restructured deal in August of 2023 after a brief holdout, paying him $18 million per year over two seasons, and giving a total raise of $8 million in additional salary.

MORE: Micah Parsons touts his running back skills in high school highlight video

Suffice it to say, that decision was well worth it for Dallas, with Martin going on to play in and start 15 games, and earn a Pro Bowl and first-team All-Pro nod that season. However, in 2024, Martin suffered a season-ending ankle injury, eventually leading to his decision to retire from the NFL.

But by taking advantage of the post-June 1 rule, he gets to give the Cowboys one more small favor, and save them some cash.

Zack Martin and his wife Morgan Martin on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre.
Zack Martin and his wife Morgan Martin on the red carpet before Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

— Enjoy free coverage of the Cowboys from Dallas Cowboys on SI —

Dallas Cowboys' salary cap space ahead of post-June 1 releases

NFL insider thinks Jerry Jones is delaying Micah Parsons' contract for media attention

Cowboys 'biggest strength' for 2025 season is bad news for NFL QBs

Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb ranks among NFL elite in historic receiving stat

PHOTOS: Meet Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Sophy Laufer

Published
Matt Galatzan
MATT GALATZAN

Matt Galatzan is the Managing Editor and Publisher of Texas Longhorns On SI and Texas A&M Aggies On SI and a long-time member of the Football Writers’ Association of America. He graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he studied integrated marketing communications, with minors in journalism and business administration. Galatzan started in the sports journalism industry in 2014, covering the Dallas Mavericks and SMU Mustangs with 247Sports. He then moved to Sports Illustrated's Fan Nation network in 2020, eventually taking over as the Managing Editor and Publisher of the Longhorns and Aggies sites a year later. You can find Galatzan on all major social media channels, including Twitter on @MattGalatzan.

Share on XFollow @mattgalatzan
Home/News