Dallas Cowboys restructure All-Pro guard Zack Martin's contract, clearing cap space

The Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro right guard Zack Martin agreed to a contract restructure this week that will clear roughly $13 million in cap space for the team in 2024, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. Martin could still be headed for a major extension this offseason after negotiations for a bigger deal pushed into training camp last year. If they don’t extend his contract, he’s set to become a free agent in 2025.

By converting the bulk of Martin’s salary into a signing bonus, the Cowboys can now say they are in the green in cap space for the 2024 season. They’ve yet to release any key players or convert any other players’ contracts thus far but those moves should be coming.

Martin earned his seventh First-Team All-Pro honor this season after starting 15 of 15 games played. He missed time due to an ankle injury early in the year. He also has two more All-Pro second-team honors on his resume, making him one of the most decorated players in Cowboys history.

Despite being an integral part of the Dallas offense, the right guard chose to hold out of training camp last summer in Oxnard. He only returned to camp once the team increased his salary by $8 million over the next two years. It made him the third-highest-paid guard in the league.

Dallas has a lengthy list of upcoming free agents to consider re-signing, as well as multiple stars who are looking for contract extensions. The list of the Cowboys’ free agents includes offensive linemen Tyron Smith, Tyler Biadasz, and Chuma Edoga.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 20 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5. Beginning March 11 through March 13 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27.