The reality is that this is going to be the last training camp for some players as members of the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys saw one of their long-time starters leave in free agency when Tyron Smith signed with the New York Jets. Tyron Smith spent the previous 13 seasons with the team after being selected in the first round of the 2011 NFL draft. Smith has had a tremendous career in the league, being selected to the Pro Bowl eight times while also receiving two AP First-Team All-Pro selections. One could make the case that Smith has done enough to eventually make the team’s Ring of Honor, or even make the NFL Hall of Fame when his career is over. Seeing Smith in a Jets uniform this season will feel wrong as a Cowboys fan. However, there are two more players who have had a great career in Dallas who could be entering the final year of their time with the team.
Zack Martin
While losing Smith feels like a massive change to the offensive line, the Cowboys could lose another cornerstone offensive lineman after this season. RG Zack Martin has already discussed the idea that he’s considering retiring in 2025.
“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.”
Over the last ten seasons, Martin has made the Pro Bowl in nine of them, with the exception being in 2020 when he only played 10 games. The right guard has also been selected to the AP All-Pro First-Team seven times. In an extraordinary feat, Martin has been called for holding less times (eight), than he has played in the Pro Bowl.
Martin is undoubtedly a future Hall-of-Famer, and could be on the first ballot. He has etched his name as not only one of the best offensive lineman in Cowboys history, but all of football. The Cowboys would have massive shoes to fill if they lost Martin after this upcoming season.
DeMarcus Lawrence
DeMarcus Lawrence was drafted in the same class as Zack Martin. The former second-round pick has had a very impactful career with the Cowboys, being a pivotal defender against the run. He’s made the Pro Bowl four times, while having a career-year in 2017 with 14.5 sacks.
Despite being 32 years old, Lawrence is still the second best defensive lineman on the team, and seems irreplaceable in defending the run. With that said, he is only under contract through the 2024 season. It is no secret that the Cowboys are in a predicament when it comes to their cap space, currently needing to sign QB Dak Prescott, WR CeeDee Lamb, and DE Micah Parsons to contract extensions.
While Lawrence’s impact can’t be overstated, it is likely that he could command more money in free agency than he would in Dallas. While it would be great to see him retire a Cowboy, it would be hard to fault Lawrence if he took a bigger contract with a different team. It should be factored in that the team also selected edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland with their second-round pick in this years draft, possibly looking at building for the future at the position.
It would truly be a shame if Martin and Lawrence conclude their time with the Cowboys without reaching the NFC Championship game. They would join a long list of players over the last two decade who experienced great individual success with little postseason success. If the Cowboys hope to give them a Super Bowl ring, it may be this year or bust.