Cowboys OL Zack Martin to retire after 11 seasons in NFL
Zack Martin’s remarkable NFL journey has come to an end.
The veteran guard has notified the Dallas Cowboys of his decision to retire, according to reports from NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo on Thursday.
Martin is stepping away from the game after 11 seasons, all of which he spent with the Cowboys. Throughout his career, he earned nine Pro Bowl selections, seven first-team All-Pro honors, two second-team All-Pro recognitions, and even finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2014. He retires tied with legends Randall McDaniel and John Hannah for the most first-team All-Pro selections by a guard in NFL history.
Martin’s influence on the Cowboys goes beyond traditional stats, but anyone who followed the team during his tenure understands his immense value to the franchise. He started every game he played in (162 regular-season games, plus nine playoff appearances), providing crucial protection for quarterback Dak Prescott as he evolved from a relatively unknown prospect to a star player. Martin also paved the way for running back Ezekiel Elliott, who led the NFL in rushing twice in his first three seasons.
Through changes in both the roster and coaching staff, Martin remained a steady presence. He was one of the most consistently outstanding players in the league—regardless of position—earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in all but one season of his career. Even at 32, he secured a significant pay raise, a testament to his enduring excellence.
With only one year remaining on his contract, Martin acknowledged that 2024 might be his final season, though he avoided declaring it a farewell tour while recognizing that his NFL career was nearing its end. When he suffered an ankle injury that required season-ending surgery, retirement became increasingly probable.
Now, the Cowboys legend steps away from professional football with a legacy that all but guarantees his future induction into the Hall of Fame. The countdown to his enshrinement in Canton has officially begun.
