Zack Martin still mulling over his football future: 'I want to try to get healthy'

[Chasing6]

He says 4-6 weeks so we will know something before the draft. Considering his decline in play and persistent injuries of late, I expect him to walk away. Sad ending to a HOF career.

Zack Martin still mulling over his football future: 'I want to try to get healthy'
Tommy Yarrish
Feb 04, 2025

NEW ORLEANS – Being in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX is a bittersweet moment for Zack Martin. On one hand, he's the Cowboys nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, one of the most prestigious honors in the NFL.

On the other hand, he's not in town playing for a chance to win a Lombardi trophy.

"I mean, it'll be cool to experience it as a fan, but obviously wish we could have played in it at some point in my career." Martin said.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...-football-future-i-want-to-try-to-get-healthy

Well, please get healthy and retire or go to another team.

 

[Pass2Run]

It's time to retire Zach.

I tend to agree. We overpaid his new contract. But, that's a loyalty thing. Do we gain anything as far as cap if he retires?

 

[Chasing6]

I tend to agree. We overpaid his new contract. But, that's a loyalty thing. Do we gain anything as far as cap if he retires?

My understanding is he is not under contract, but we still have money on the books for him. So I don't believe we can save any money.

 

[John813]

My understanding is he is not under contract, but we still have money on the books for him. So I don't believe we can save any money.

He's under contract for a few days into the 2025 season, allowing Dallas to designate him as a June 1st cut so they don't have to eat all 27mil at once in 2025.
2026 carries a dead cap if June 1st, but at least split over 2 seasons.

 

[BigD_95]

He says 4-6 weeks so we will know something before the draft. Considering his decline in play and persistent injuries of late, I expect him to walk away. Sad ending to a HOF career.

Zack Martin still mulling over his football future: 'I want to try to get healthy'
Tommy Yarrish
Feb 04, 2025

NEW ORLEANS – Being in New Orleans for Super Bowl LIX is a bittersweet moment for Zack Martin. On one hand, he's the Cowboys nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, one of the most prestigious honors in the NFL.

On the other hand, he's not in town playing for a chance to win a Lombardi trophy.

"I mean, it'll be cool to experience it as a fan, but obviously wish we could have played in it at some point in my career." Martin said.

https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/...-football-future-i-want-to-try-to-get-healthy

I love the guy and I'm a big Notre Dame fan but this should not be his call.

Dallas needs to move on

 

[Bullflop]

It's high time for Zack to retire, imho.

Like many former players, he's in denial his time is up.

Even if he gets healthy, it most likely won't last. His body says so, but he won't listen.

 

[DandyDon52]

Well, please get healthy and retire or go to another team.

Fish said he needs to make up his mind now, and cowboys should tell him either your playing or not.
They need to know by april 1st . Before the draft and then I would say march 10, but I doubt cowboys do anything in FA.

 

[The Natural]

he's cooked

 

[Chasing6]

Fish said he needs to make up his mind now, and cowboys should tell him either your playing or not.
They need to know by april 1st . Before the draft and then I would say march 10, but I doubt cowboys do anything in FA.

1. It should not be his decision.
2. He is going to want $10M+ on top of what we already owe him.

Time to part wash and wish him the best on his future endeavors. If he wants, he can be an Assistant OLine Coach.

 

[dmq]

These guys always try to heal up in the offseason, get babied during camp and then get reinjured as soon as the real hitting begins. Seen this song and dance happen way too many times. It’s time to hang it up. Cowboys should not let him come back.

 

[EPL0c0]

If he wants to stay, i think he'll have to earn the start.

If he was playing THAT hurt in 2024, it was bad because Hoffman stepped in and did far better.

Personally, I think if he wants to play, release him and let him play elsewhere.

Dallas has a chance (if they draft OL in the 1st round) to have an OLine under the age of 26. Meaning they could have continuity for a few years.

 

[jterrell]

All this talk is pointless to me. Dallas will ask Zack to take a pay cut if he returns.
If Zack's agent feels he can get more money elsewhere he will refuse and be released.

This is the exact pattern with Tyron.

 

[Chasing6]

These guys always try to heal up in the offseason, get babied during camp and then get reinjured as soon as the real hitting begins. Seen this song and dance happen way too many times. It’s time to hang it up. Cowboys should not let him come back.

Give him a Jets performance based contract based off of games played and snap counts.

Only option to return.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I love the guy and I'm a big Notre Dame fan but this should not be his call.

Dallas needs to move on

That's the tricky part. Martin has earned the right to walk away on his own terms. But if he can't play and doesn't walk away, the Cowboys really have no choice but to make the decision for him.

 

[Chasing6]

That's the tricky part. Martin has earned the right to walk away on his own terms. But if he can't play and doesn't walk away, the Cowboys really have no choice but to make the decision for him.

Sure. Offer him league minimum and he can walk away on his own terms.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Sure. Offer him league minimum and he can walk away on his own terms.

He is already under contract.

 

[RonWashington]

Let’s go younger . Brock Hoffman with Bass capable as well . Martin has had a great run would make a great OL coach I bet .

I would not bring DLaw back either given the severity of multiple foot injuries . Is Sam Williams anything , let’s find out . You got Kneeland and bring Lawson back . Parsons . Edge much stronger then DT LB or CB going into the draft .

 

[plasticman]

I wouldn't put it past him to get healthy, come in and play up to an All-Pro level. He's pretty tough. For his career, he has started in 162 of 180 possible games. That is 90% from the first game of his rookie season to game #17 just two months ago.

Hall of Fame guards have a typical career length of 13-15 years while still making Pro Bowls at the age of 35. Martin would be entering his 12th season.

Did you know that three out of the five starting O-linemen for the Cowboys last Super Bowl in 1995 were 35 years or older?

I don't know Martin's actual health, but he does and if he were to claim himself available then I would sure be happy to see him on this team.

I'm not predicting he will, it's all up to his self-appraisal. He seems like the type of guy that would be really honest with himself.

 

[OGSixshooter]

I wouldn't put it past him to get healthy, come in and play up to an All-Pro level. He's pretty tough. For his career, he has started in 162 of 180 possible games. That is 90% from the first game of his rookie season to game #17 just two months ago.

Hall of Fame guards have a typical career length of 13-15 years while still making Pro Bowls at the age of 35. Martin would be entering his 12th season.

Did you know that three out of the five starting O-linemen for the Cowboys last Super Bowl in 1995 were 35 years or older?

I don't know Martin's actual health, but he does and if he were to claim himself available then I would sure be happy to see him on this team.

I'm not predicting he will, it's all up to his self-appraisal. He seems like the type of guy that would be really honest with himself.

You're not wrong. The issue with Zach may be mileage. To play at an all-pro level for that many years consecutively and playing through pain probably hastened his demise. To me, he's kind of like the Aaron Donald of the o-line greats and you saw what he did. He started off and stayed all-pro but called it quits because the miles were going to catch up with him.

 

[mattjames2010]

Would be nice to get one more good year out of Martin. I would like a legend like him to go out on top.