11 seasons. All in Dallas. Or, as some might say, all in Jerry Jones’ world. Let that sink in. Zack Martin didn’t just survive the grind of the NFL; he thrived in it, becoming one of the most consistent and dominant guards in league history.
But now, as the dust settles on his retirement, the Cowboys are left with a bittersweet reality: a legend’s departure and a $26 million headache to Jerry Jones’ plans (if there was any!).
ESPN’s Todd Archer reports that the Cowboys officially released Martin with a June 1 designation, a move expected after last year’s contract restructure. The financial fallout? Martin will count roughly $9 million against the cap this year and a staggering $17 million in 2025.
For a team already navigating cap constraints, this is a gut punch. Especially for Jerry Jones… He was the one who called Martin with that life-changing 214 area code. But that’s life. Now, JJ faces the daunting task of managing the financial aftermath of the same guy’s exit.
Let’s rewind for a moment. When Dallas drafted Martin 16th overall in 2014, he got that fateful call from Jonesy. As Martin wrote in The Players’ Tribune, “I was the Spongebob meme. Everything went blurry and was swirling around.” Tony Romo followed up with his trademark charm: “Can’t wait to have you here.” And Martin delivered, becoming the heart of the Cowboys’ offensive line for over a decade.
But loyalty in the NFL comes at a price. After a training camp holdout last year, Martin signed a restructured two-year, $36.85 million deal, fully guaranteed through 2024. The Cowboys pushed money into void years to ease the immediate cap hit, but now the bill is due. And it’s a hefty one.
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