Jerry Jones comments on Zack Martin missing training camp due to contract dispute

Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard Zack Martin did not arrive in Oxnard, California for training camp after skipping the team flight on Monday, according to Adam Schefter. The veteran offensive lineman is currently unhappy with his contract, which does not have him among the highest-paid linemen this season.

Team owner and general manager Jerry Jones was able to address the situation on the first day of camp on Tuesday. However, he gave no indication of progress towards a new deal for Martin or when the guard might join the team.

“Just not going to discuss anything about any of our players’ agreements,” Jones said. “We certainly have great communication with, frankly, everybody. Not any surprises at all but we won’t be talking the business aspect of this thing.”

Jones would not answer whether he “expected” Martin back at some point for training camp, but he added he isn’t “concerned.”

“I don’t want to get into my expectations, we’ve got everything as we start camp today, there’s nothing to concern me with contractual situations,” Jones added.

Taking his cues from the boss, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy did not go into specifics on Martin’s contract dispute, but spoke highly of the All-Pro.

“He’s a great player, he’s one of our team leaders and there’s nothing but love for him,” McCarthy said. “This is a business situation and that’s where it is.”

Martin ‘woefully underpaid’ on six-year deal

Zack Martin last signed a deal in 2018 for six years and $84 million. Although he has arguably been the best guard in the league over the last few years, he isn’t currently paid as such.

The top-paid guard going into the 2023 season is Chris Lindstrom with the Falcons. He signed a five-year deal in March for $102.5 million. The Cowboys star is making roughly $6.5 million less per season than Lindstrom. Even though Martin’s deal was one of the longest at the time he signed, it’s now close to running out.

There is precedent for the team to renegotiate with the star guard despite two years left remaining on his deal. In 2002, they signed guard Larry Allen under similar circumstances to a new deal in order to make him one of the highest-paid OL in the league once more.

As far as leverage goes, Dallas has already practiced this offseason without Martin as he recovered from a soft-tissue injury. However, they’ll definitely want him back.

The Cowboys have several players capable of swinging from tackle to guard, which will make it easier during training camp if they have to continue on without Martin for any amount of time.

The Cowboys start the preseason with a game versus the Jaguars on Aug. 12.