Zack Martin does the Dallas Cowboys a final favor: Retirement could save the team a lot of money

The Dallas Cowboys are once again in the middle of a delicate financial juggling act. With their salary cap near the top and roster spots to fill, the team needs some good news desperately. Enter Zack Martin and his unexpected retirement, which is a breath of fresh air for America’s Team.

It’s not official yet, but the 11-year veteran is about to hang up his cleats. Selected 16th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft, Martin was a seven-time First Team All-Pro, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, and named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team.

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Press reports claim the player has already notified management of his intention to retire during this offseason. The news would have sparked mixed feelings in the team, which will miss one of its best players but desperately needs cap space.

How does Dallas benefit from Martin’s retirement?

After some offseason drama in 2023, Martin signed a two-year, $36.9 million contract with the Cowboys. However, both sides sat down to negotiate in the 2024 offseason and agreed to a restructuring, adding three void years to the deal.

Thanks to this, instead of having to pay out the more than $26 million they owed Martin in one go, they will now be able to spread it out over two years, paying $10.6 million in 2025 and $15.8 million in 2026. However, the Cowboys have to play their cards right.

To implement the restructuring, the Cowboys will have to make Martin’s retirement official after June 1. Knowing the player’s plans in advance, the front office can begin planning its next moves, especially on the way to the draft and free agency, which begins March 12.

Dallas and free agency

The Cowboys have work to do in free agency. Twenty-five of their players are about to hit the market, including starting running back Rico Dowdle and defensive linemen DeMarcus Lawrence and Osa Odighizuwa. That’s not counting two of quarterback Dak Prescott’s three backups.