The Dallas Cowboys will be looking for a new guard with sources confirming to the Star-Telegram’s Nick Harris that All-Pro offensive lineman Zack Martin intends to retire.
Martin played 11 years in the NFL, all for the Cowboys after being drafted No. 16 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. He was a standout at his position earning nine Pro Bowl nods, seven All-Pro selections and being selected to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade team.
Social media reacted to the announcement with some of his teammates praising Martin for his accomplishments in the league.
Micah Parsons comments on Instagram about the retirement of his teammate Zack Martin. Courtesy of Micah Parsons Instagram
CeeDee Lamb comments on Zack Martin’s retirement via Instagram. Courtesy of CeeDee Lamb’s Instagram
With Zack Martin retiring …
Here’s a cut up from the 2019 season showing all the explosive run and screen plays behind number 70
An incredible player with pinpoint technique and power with the ability to dominate in space that set him apart
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) February 20, 2025
Zack Martin is the best of my generation, one of the greatest of all time and the best I ever faced!! Enjoy retirement and Canton in a few short years my brotha!!
— Gerald McCoy (@Geraldini93) February 20, 2025
Good stuff right here from Patrik on Zack Martin.
Truly a living legend that’ll be missed in Dallas. A big shoe for Brock Hoffman (potentially) to fill but he told me midway through the season that Zack’s been a hell of a supporter of him making the most of every opportunity he… https://t.co/zrCZMWgXta
— Nicole Hutchison (@nhutchisontv) February 20, 2025
Zack Martin is on the Mt. Rushmore of right guards with Will Shields and Marshal Yanda. Take your pick for the next guy but those three are on there. I’m very fortunate to have met two of them and studied all three on coaches’ tape to really appreciate their greatness.
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) February 20, 2025
Dallas’ front office has made plenty of bad decisions over the past 20 years but one of their best was drafting Zack Martin over Johnny Manziel. You got a first ballot Hall of Famer instead of one of the biggest draft busts in history.
— Maitland Rutledge (@Maitland__R) February 20, 2025
Logging back on from the depths of vacation to say:
Zack Martin is the man. Hall of Famer, 5 years & like a 10-second conversation from now
p.s., the list of Hall of Famers who played full careers in Dallas without sniffing postseason success is starting to get alarmingly long.
— David Helman (@davidhelman_) February 20, 2025
Zack Martin will be in the Hall of Fame in 5 years… He’s easily a First Ballot Hall of Famer whether you like the Dallas Cowboys or not! pic.twitter.com/tdJLPt5mg6
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) February 20, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys’ All-Pro offensive guard Zack Martin is retiring from the NFL after 11 seasons, WFAA Cowboys Insider Ed Werder confirmed Thursday afternoon.
The decision comes after a tumultuous season for the Cowboys and Martin, who underwent season-ending ankle surgery after playing in just 10 games during the 2024-2025 season. The absence of his physical being and role as a leader reflected in the team’s performance as they finished 7-10 overall
The 34-year-old ends his NFL career having earned First Team All-Pro honors seven times in his 11 seasons. Martin also appeared in nine Pro Bowls and made the NFL Top 100 list eight times. His collection of accolades has many in the NFL world considering him a shoo-in for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
One stat that stands out in his 11 seasons is that Martin was only flagged for holding a mere seven times, according to Pro Football Reference.
The Cowboys, who will enter the 2025-2026 season with a mostly new coaching ensemble, are now tasked with filling in another gap on their roster. Losing a leader like Martin is a big hit, especially for a relatively young offensive line still looking for an identity.