See whatever happens next season, whether Cowboys star guard Zack Martin plays another game or not. His spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame is already secured. Like an 11-year career wrapped around seven first-team All-Pro selections and a spot in the league’s 2010s All-decade team. One thing is for sure—the Cowboys will probably never find anyone else to replace Martin’s presence in their O-line. And maybe that’s why the Cowboys are still awaiting Zack Martin’s final decision on his decade-long glittering career.
Since the Cowboys used their first-round pick on Martin in the 2014 NFL draft, the nine-time Pro Bowler has remained a staple in their O-line. Even this year, Martin played the first 10 games for the Cowboys until an ankle injury took everything away. Him going into surgery ended the possibility of Martin returning in what could have been his final season in Dallas.
So, as he stares down the barrel with free agency looming around the corner. Zack Martin shared his thoughts on dfwticket regarding the next step in his career, “The first hurdle is making sure my body is feeling all right. And then it comes down to mentally. There’s a lot that goes into it. Physically, if I can make that, then I have to make the mental decision. I’m trying to make a decision here before free agency.” Well, the thing is, the Cowboys veteran guard had been going through ankle issues for quite some time.
Cowboys RG Zack Martin on @dfwticket said he’s six weeks out from his ankle surgery. He’s a free agent. “The first hurdle is making sure my body is feeling all right. And then it comes down to mentally. There’s a lot that goes into it. Physically, if I can make that then I have…
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) February 4, 2025
And those recurring problems “over the last few years” have hindered Martin’s capabilities on the gridiron. No matter how hard he worked out or underwent special procedures, his ankle never really responded the way he wanted. So, six weeks after his ankle surgery, Martin still doesn’t know what’s gonna happen with his ankle. While physicality isn’t something that Martin can control, there is something else that he is completely in charge of. “Just mentally, if I’m ready. I know what it takes in this league and what all goes into it. I think I just need to get my head mentally around if I want to commit to that for another year or not,” says Martin.
Besides his physical limitations, that could probably be healed by the team when the next season arrives. There is someone else who could urge Zack Martin to get suited again for one last hurrah.
Zack Martin loved Jerry Jones’ decision on Brian Schottenheimer
Fans may not have been impressed with Jerry Jones handing Dallas’ reigns to a 27-year NFL assistant and his two-year OC. But if you ask Zack Martin what he thought about the Cowboys GM’s decision, you will hear, “I love it. He’s great.” Martin also went on to add that Brian has already made quite the impression on everyone at The Star, “He’s obviously made an impression on a lot of people in that building. I’m excited for him to get this opportunity. He’s hungry to be a head coach.”
Now, Martin isn’t the only person who loved the Cowboys’ decision to hire Schottenheimer as head coach. He found an unlikely support from Kansas City Chiefs owner Clark Hunt because of a bond that dates back to 1989. Brian’s father, Marty Schottenheimer, used to be the head coach of the red team from 1989 to 1998. So Hunt always had that close eye on Brian’s knowledge of the game. And the moment he won, the Cowboys job among 10 other candidates. Hunt didn’t beat around the bush to share his excitement, “I’m so glad that Brian Schottenheimer is getting a chance to lead that organization.”
Maybe Brian Schottenheimer could be the one who can convince Zack Martin to return once he is physically fit. His domineering presence on the Cowboys’ O-line, combined with his leadership in the locker room, could help the Brian Schottenheimer era get off to a positive start.
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