The Dallas Cowboys have a ton of work to do this offseason if they are to return to the playoffs next season, let alone seriously contend for the Super Bowl championship any time soon.
They have a top-heavy roster that needs reinforcements, and now they will need to upgrade their offensive line after some big news that dropped recently.
“Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders,” Tom Pelissero of NFL Network wrote on X. “One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34.”
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34. pic.twitter.com/M4RqV7VoB8
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
Martin was the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and quickly proved he was a star by finishing second in the Offensive Rookie of the Year balloting and making the Pro Bowl and the All-Pro First Team.
In all, he has made nine Pro Bowls and been chosen to the All-Pro First Team seven times, and he was selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.
This season, he started to show signs of wear and tear, as Pro Football Focus ranked him 71st among 135 guards in pass-blocking grade, and he allowed five sacks, which was 116th among 135 guards.
The Cowboys’ lackluster offensive line may have played a role in quarterback Dak Prescott throwing just 11 touchdown passes in eight games before his season ended due to a hamstring injury.
With virtually no salary cap flexibility, it will not be easy for Dallas to secure the upgrades it needs to become the type of team the franchise has always envisioned being.
