Retirement after 2024 season 'definitely in the realm of possibilities' for Zack Martin

The offensive line has been a staple of the Dallas Cowboys in the Dak Prescott era, being one of the best units in the NFL. None have been more consistent than Tyron Smith and Zack Martin, both presumably ending up in the Hall of Fame one day.

Smith left Dallas this offseason, not being able to sign an extension, and eventually winding up with the New York Jets. Martin might be the next to go, with the right guard saying the 2024 season might be his final one in football.

“I’m not saying 100%, but I think it’s definitely in the realm of possibilities,” Martin said via The Dallas Morning News. “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.”

Martin was a first-round pick for Dallas in 2014 out of Notre Dame. He instantly became a starter at right guard and his throne has never been overthrown. In 152 career games, all of them have been starts. Early in 2024, Martin will surpass 10,000 snaps played.

Arguably the most insane stat surrounding Martin? He has been named a first-team All-Pro (nine) than his career holding penalties, only committing seven.

Even so, there might not be a harsher critic of Martin’s game than Martin. The 2023 season may have not been his most dominant, something the offensive lineman wants to get back to this year.

“I don’t think I played honestly up to my standard last year, really,” Martin said. “That’s another reason why I want to finish this year strong is I think I can play at a high level still. I think I may have come up a little bit short last year. I’ve got a little chip on my shoulder to get back to that consistent, kind of dominant player that I’ve been.”

Dallas has invested in the offensive line in the last two NFL Drafts but on the left side. Tyler Smith fit in quite well at left guard as a rookie, earning second-team All-Pro. Tyler Guyton out of Oklahoma was this year’s first-round pick and he is expected to replace Smith at left tackle.

Potentially starting next year, a new right guard will be needed for the first time in a decade.