Will the Dallas Cowboys’ Zack Martin retire after the 2024 NFL season?
There’s no questioning the ability of the Cowboys’ offensive lineman which is precisely why the prospect of his retirement could be a major blow to the team.
In Zack Martin, the Cowboys have one of the best offensive linemen that we’ve seen in years. From his nine All-Pro nods and nine Pro Bowl appearances to his first-team All-Pro inclusions in the last three seasons, Martin has been a true star of the NFL
Zack Martin could end his career after the 2024 NFL season
If we take him at his word, then it could be that Zack Martin is about to bring the curtain down on his career. Speaking recently with the Dallas Morning News, Martin disclosed that the 2024 season could in fact be his last in the league. “I’m not saying 100%, but I think it’s definitely in the realm of possibilities,” Martin said. “And that’s one thing I don’t want to do. For myself, I don’t want to be thinking, ‘Oh, this is it. This is it.’ I want to stay in the moment, and I want to play the best that I can play at this point and be the best right guard this team needs on a weekly basis. And then after the season, we’ll figure out what’s going on.”
Of course, Martin’s age and stage aren’t the only thing that could affect his decision. There’s also his contract to consider. Do recall that the 33-year-old has just one year left on his deal and though he did hold out of training camp last year, he was not granted an extension but rather a pay rise. “I’ve had a couple years -- obviously, last year with the contract and a couple other years with some injury stuff I was dealing with during training camp -- where you really don’t get those reps,” Martin said. “It’s hard to explain, but it kind of feels like you’re always playing catch up.”
“I felt like last year, you roll in a couple weeks before the season, and you’re just trying to play catch up. ‘I need to get in the right conditioning shape. I need to get work with the guys I’m playing next to.’ I’m very excited to be able to go to training camp this year and get in my rhythm before the season starts.” At this point, we can only wait and watch but by all indications, it appears that the former No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft could soon be on his way out the door, and should that prove to be the case it will undoubtedly leave a hole in Dallas’ offensive line.e