Tag: Zack Martin

Cowboys may be well prepared for loss of $111 million, 9x All-Pro

If this is it for Zack Martin the Cowboys should be able to survive at RG in 2025 without adding external help. | From @ReidDHanson

Zack Martin is at a crossroads in his Dallas Cowboys career. The 34-year-old guard has had a Hall of Fame worthy career since joining the Cowboys in 2014. He’s been selected to nine Pro Bowls and earned seven First-Team All-Pro (2x Second-Team) throughout his 11 seasons. The only time he didn’t qualify for one or the other were in his injury shortened 2020 and 2024 campaigns.

With more Pro Bowl appearances than career holding penalties, Martin is undeniably one of the all-time greats. Despite this, the Cowboys legend may be on his way out of Dallas.

Martin is coming off an uncharacteristically pedestrian season. Whether it was age or injury that was the primary cause for the decline is difficult to say. But Martin didn’t look his usual self, and it impacted the Cowboys offensive line in a rather significant way.

After reworking his contract before the 2023 season, void years were affixed on the back end beginning in 2025 (per Over the Cap). It has given both parties an out in the contract should either side decide to turn the page on this dominant era in Cowboys history.

Martin has made over $111 million over his career in Dallas, but there’s over $27 million remaining to be allocated to the books over the next few seasons.

The Cowboys have been in the business of turning pages on the offensive line as of late. Last season they parted with great left tackle Tyron Smith and a young veteran in center Tyler Biadasz. This season they rebuilt their coaching staff and look to mix up the blocking scheme. Saving money has been the name of the game and gambling big dollars on a veteran who may be on the decline is something the front office wants to avoid. But can the Cowboys survive the loss?

To those who were paying attention in 2024 the answer is probably a firm, “yes.”

Brock Hoffman, the man who was beat out at starting center by the rookie Cooper Beebe in training camp, proved to be more than capable at right guard. Hoffman embodied the type of nasty attitude offensive lines strive for. He was routinely playing through the whistle, virtually living under the skin of his opponents. He doesn’t have the stratospheric ceiling of Martin, but he played like a plus-level starter in the seven starts he made.

Not to be forgotten, T.J. Bass also appears to be a solid replacement option. He was the expected heir apparent at RG when the 2024 season kicked off and he’s a player who already possesses a starting caliber skillset.

The two guard options give the Cowboys a lot to work with if Martin does indeed depart Dallas. Their presence would allow the Cowboys to survive such a monumental departure and save the team fairly significant money in the process.

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Cowboys Injury Report: Preparations for the NFC Championship Round

An update on the when various injured Cowboys should be ready to return to the field.

Why are you here? Are you unaware that the Dallas Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs? They don’t even have a head coach at the moment… Come on, man. I know it was a difficult year, but if you checked out in October I know you didn’t just resurface thinking that the club turned things around and made it farther than they have in 33 years. Did you?

Yikes.

Okay, because we’re friends, here’s an update on the high-visibility Cowboys who had season-ending injuries.

QB Dak Prescott, hamstring: Prescott’s recovery is ongoing, but he is expected to be ready for OTAs.

DE Sam Williams, ACL: Williams was hurt in training camp, which means he will miss OTAs but should be able to participate in at least a portion of 2025 camp if there are no setbacks.

DE DeMarcus Lawrence, foot: There was speculation that Lawrence might return at the end of 2024, which leads to speculation the free agent will be on some team’s field for OTAs in 2025.

LB DeMarvion Overshown, ACL, MCL, PCL: Overshown’s injury was catastrophic and it was first thought he would likely miss all of 2025, but after surgery there was some hope he could return in the midst of the regular season.

CB Trevon Diggs, articular cartilage: Diggs’ knee injury robbed him of the back end of the season and is reported to keep him out of the lineup through the offseason schedule and training camp, with a hopeful return by the start of the regular season.

OG Zack Martin, Ankle: Martin is a nine-time Pro Bowler and contemplated retirement prior to the 2023 season. As a free agent, he might sit out the spring and wait to sign with a team until later in the year, if at all. That might not have anything to do with his ankle.

Cowboys currently have 3 players among top-10 cap hits in 2025 who won’t be on the team

Often referred to as kicking the can down the road, there’s an argument that using future year’s cap hits is smart, but it’s reserved for winners.

While the NFL increases the amount of the cap by leaps and bounds every season, teams can often find themselves up against the ceiling on a regular basis. The Dallas Cowboys generally have preferred to exist right up against the cap routinely. For the last decade plus, since the last CBA was agreed to, Dallas has preferred to give their big-money players lengthy deals with a ton of years, which gives them the wiggle room to manipulate the cap as they see fit, but still be as close to the cap limit as possible.

Manipulating the salary cap in any given year is easy. The Cowboys put language in their player’s contracts that allow the club to convert a season’s base salary into a restructure bonus and take advantage of league accounting rules that then spread that money across future year’s caps, even though the player gets the money in that same season. Over the last decade, they’ve used void years in the contracts to place the cap hits on seasons the player isn’t even going to be on the team.

This is one of two ways of having dead money on a specific year’s cap ledger, along with more common way when a team releases a player who still has unallocated bonus money that hasn’t yet hit the cap. In 2025, Dallas is going to run into both situations in a major way.

Out of their top 10 salary cap hits already on the books for 2025, according to Over the Cap, three of those are dead money hits.

Zack Martin (3rd) and DeMarcus Lawrence (10th) are both set to be unrestricted free agents in 2025 after 11 years, each, with the club. Their expiring contracts contained void years into the future, cap loopholes that allow a player to have a salary for a season that will be voided no matter what.

It’s literally cap cheating and is a ridiculous benefit the owners have given themselves to skirt their own rules.

Martin is scheduled to count over $27 million against the cap in 2025 for money that was paid to him already. Lawrence is on the books for just under $7.5 million.

Even if the Cowboys use the June 1 rule they included in Martin’s deal to split his dead money across both 2024 and 2025, the $10 million would rank him sixth in cap hits this coming season.

Meanwhile, Michael Gallup (7th) still exists on the Dallas books as well. The former third-round wide receiver was released this past offseason and has retired, but he will count $8.7 million against the Cowboys’ cap in 2025 because he was a June 1 release that split his cap hit over two seasons.

Often referred to as kicking the can down the road, there’s an argument to be made that it makes a lot of sense to use future year’s cap hits to account for a player’s salary.

If a team pays a player $10 million in 2024, but they don’t have to account for it against the cap until a future year when the salary cap is higher, it gives the team more bang for the buck because it takes up a lower percentage of the cap.

But that can only be realized if the team is winning, which the Cowboys are not. If the team isn’t good enough to compete for a championship, then using future cap space is an impediment to the club improving. That feels like the situation the 2025 Cowboys will find themselves in.

2025 Free Agency: Cowboys have intriguing mix of legends, RFAs, ERFAs, and coaches’ faves

Dallas free agency decision begin with their RFAs, ERFAs, injured Cowboys’ greats, and coaches faves. | From @cdpiglet

There are some huge decisions for the Cowboys to make with their long list of free agents. With the number of holes on Dallas’ roster, it will be difficult for the Cowboys not to bring back every pending free agent on a restricted rights or exclusive rights contract. In addition, they’ll need to decide whether to make an effort to get back long-time contributors who ended the year on IR and a group of players who seem tied to the current coaching staff.

An exclusive rights free agent is a player with an expired contract and less than three accrued seasons in the NFL. A restricted free agent is a player with an expired contract, but only three accrued seasons in the league, keeping them from being unrestricted.

To keep a restricted free agent, Dallas has to offer him a predetermined one-year deal, known as a “tender.” If they do, the Cowboys can match any free agent deal the player signs for another team or receive draft compensation from the new team he signs with. Dallas could offer a first or second-round tender that would earn Dallas a subsequent draft choice from the team the player signed with. An original round tender would give the Cowboys a draft pick from the round he was originally drafted in, or they could offer a right to first refusal to match any offer the player agrees to.

Interior offensive lineman Brock Hoffman, safety Juanyeh Thomas, and defensive end Tyrus Wheat are all on exclusive rights contracts. Dallas only has to send a one-year qualifying offer for the league minimum based on each player’s experience level. This prevents the player from negotiating with other teams, ensuring their return.

Restricted rights free agents include pro bowl kick return specialist KaVontae Turpin, safety Markquese Bell, and much-maligned corner Andrew Booth Jr.  Dallas will need the first two back but could move on from Booth Jr., who hasn’t played well for them. Still, the roster is so thin that he could even return as a special teams player.

Meanwhile, the injured veteran front has two difficult decisions to make.

Demarcus Lawrence was still playing at a high level but is aging and coming off of another injury, but has already confirmed he plans to play next season. The team is already returning edge rushers Micah Parsons, Marshawn Kneeland, and Sam Williams, who will be returning from a serious injury himself.

Dallas will have a dead-money hit of nearly $7.5 million for Lawrence next season, so having him back on the roster would help justify the use of cap space, but he could get a final big payday elsewhere from a contender.

Guard Zack Martin will likely decide his own fate. If he wants to return for another season, the Cowboys are likely to bring him back. He has $27.7 million in dead money cap charges that can land across either one or two years.

Martin and Lawrence joined the franchise together and are now completing their 11th seasons with the club. With the club letting Tyron Smith go last season, it will be interesting to see what happens with the last remnants of the Tony Romo era.

Then there are these free agent signings who are a more simple concept.

Eric Kendricks signed in Dallas because of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. If Zimmer returns, so could Kendricks and Nick Virgil.

The specialists could go elsewhere if John Fassel doesn’t return as the unit coach. Punter Bryan Anger, long-snapper Trent Sieg, and gunner C.J. Goodwin could all need to be replaced this offseason.

Cooper Rush, Trey Lance, or even Will Grier as the backup to Dak Prescott likely depends on if Mike McCarthy returns as the head coach.

Coaching ties matter. When Dan Quinn left to coach the Commanders, he took with him multiple players who played for him in Dallas. The new coaches might have the players they want to bring in to teach their system to the rest of the players.

You can find Mike Crum on Twitter @cdpiglet or Bluesky @mike-crum-cdpiglet.bsky.social

Zack Martin can’t be replaced but this UDFA can carve out his own role

Brock Hoffman isn’t Zack Martin and for the Cowboys O-line, that’s fine, says @ReidDHanson.

When Hillary Swank replaced Ralph Macchio as the Karate Kid in the franchise’s fourth movie, she wasn’t met with open hearts and open minds. For as annoying as the Daniel LaRusso character was at times, Macchio was a legend in his role. Swank never stood a chance in her bid to replace Macchio because legends simply can’t be replaced.

Legends aren’t just the standard bearers for which all replacements are measured, they hold a mythical status to fans. Zack Martin holds that mythical status reserved for legends. For years he’s been the Cowboys most dominant player. He’s a generational offensive lineman who is both blue-chip and blue collar. He has been the model of consistency in Dallas and a beloved character in and out of the locker room.

So, when Martin announced he’ll be having season-ending surgery this week and will not be returning to the field this year, fans were understandably heartbroken. It’s been long speculated 2024 will be Martin’s last year as a pro and the Cowboys will be turning the last page on this truly awesome offensive line era that once also featured him, Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick.

Brock Hoffman, the man who has started in Martin’s place the last two weeks, will presumably replace him down the stretch as well. Fans loved what Hoffman brought to the table in his two starts. He graded out well in both phases of the game and was a frequent thorn in his opponents’ side up to and even after the whistle.

Hoffman’s nasty attitude endeared him to fans and inspired teammates along the way. While this could make for a smooth transition to the new era, filling in for injury is one thing but replacing a legend on a more permanent basis is something else entirely.

The good news for Hoffman is that he doesn’t need to be Martin. The Cowboys have something like that already in 2023 All-Pro Tyler Smith. What they need from Hoffman is for the 25-year-old to just be his regular, cantankerous self.

Instead of trying to fill Martin’s enormous shoes, Hoffman just needs to bring a pair of his own. The value he brings isn’t in dominance at the point of attack it’s in his ability to put opponents on tilt and raise the energy amongst his brethren alongside him. It’s been a while since the Cowboys had a certified jerk on their offensive line and that might have been a problem. It takes all types to round a strong unit, and Hoffman fits his own unique role.

Replacing Martin is impossible and if fans are looking for a player even half as dominant as Martin in his prime, they will be disappointed. But Hoffman brings different skills to the table, and who knows, as a developing player he may become a dominant blocker one day, too. The point is what he brings today is enough because it’s a special quality that’s been lacking from the unit.

Hoffman isn’t Hillary Swank trying to replace Ralph Macchio, he’s a different karate franchise altogether.

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Cowboys’ Zack Martin to have season-ending ankle surgery

From @ToddBrock24f7: The 9x-Pro Bowler suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 and has been out since. Questions will now be raised about a possible retirement.

It’s the end of the season for one of the Cowboys’ all-time greats, and maybe even the end of the line.

Right guard Zack Martin will require surgery to repair the damage from a right ankle injury he suffered in Week 11, according to head coach Mike McCarthy, who made the announcement in his Thursday press conference. The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of the team’s 34-10 loss to Houston and had kept Martin sidelined the past two games.

The team had originally hoped Martin could rehab the ankle with a Week 14 return in mind, but his progress did not go as planned and led to this decision, which Martin and the club reached on Wednesday.

Undrafted Brock Hoffman has gotten the start for Martin in both contests of the Cowboys’ current two-game win streak, and he looks to be the primary replacement once again on Monday when Dallas hosts the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night.

“He’s gonna be missed. We’re not gonna replace Zack Martin, by no means,” McCarthy told reporters of the nine-time Pro Bowler who was just announced earlier in the day as a nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. “He brings so much to the team, to the team culture. We all recognize what a great player he has been here in Dallas for his whole career, but what he gives us as a person- people gravitate to him and he does a really good job of bringing people together. That offensive line room is really an illustration of his leadership, and he’ll definitely be missed in that area.”

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Both the Nov. 18 injury and Thursday’s announcement immediately raised questions about the future of the 34-year-old, who was the Cowboys’ first-round draft pick out of Notre Dame in 2014 and is now on the final year of his contract. After being absent for just two games over his first six pro seasons, Martin will have missed 16 contests over his last five years by the time the 2024 regular campaign ends.

Micah Parsons inadvertently sparked some retirement whispers for the eleven-year veteran back in early November. After a loss to the Eagles, the Cowboys linebacker said, “I kind of feel bad for guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out. Because that’s who I wanted to hold the trophy for.”

When asked a few days later about playing beyond 2024, Martin himself wasn’t ready to give the topic serious consideration.

“I’m just taking it one week at a time, my guy,” he told reporters.

But now there are no more weeks for the seven-time first-team All-Pro… at least for this season, and maybe for good.

“I think you just have to take a step back and deal with one thing at a time,” McCarthy said Thursday. “That, frankly, was the conversation that Zack and I had. The focus is really about the surgery, what’s next. Those are all questions that will be asked or be thought about.”

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Cowboys nominate Zack Martin for 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award

From @ToddBrock24f7: The decorated guard was surprised this week with news that he’ll be the team’s nominee for the league’s most prestigious individual honor.

As a nine-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time first-All-Pro guard, there aren’t may individual accolades left for Zack Martin to win.

But the Cowboys managed to find another line item to add to the 11-year veteran’s résumé, naming him their 2024 nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.

The team surprised Martin with the news this week. What started out as a holiday photo shoot with the Martin family sitting around the Christmas tree turned into Zack, wife Morgan, and their three children opening customized jerseys that revealed his nomination for the league’s most prestigious individual honor.

Each of the NFL’s 32 teams nominate one player each season for the award that seeks to recognize commitment to philanthropy and community service as well as excellence on gameday. Among the other nominees this year are Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby, Lions quarterback Jared Goff, Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner, and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Martin, 34, has long been active with organizations like the Salvation Army, the National Medal of Honor Museum, and various causes benefiting first responders, local families in need, and hospitalized children.

A panel of judges that includes Commissioner Roger Goodell, 2023 winner Cameron Heyward, and former NFL players will select this year’s recipient. The announcement will be made at NFL Honors on Feb. 6.

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Quarterback Dak Prescott won the award in 2022. He was the fourth Cowboys player to be so honored, joining tight end Jason Witten (2012), quarterback Troy Aikman (1997), and quarterback Roger Staubach (1978).

Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence was last year’s Cowboys nominee.

Martin and the league’s other 31 nominees for this year will wear honorary helmet decals for the remainder of the 2024 season. The winner is traditionally recognized on the field during a pregame ceremony at the Super Bowl; he’ll receive a $250,000 donation in his name to the charity of his choosing and will wear a special uniform patch for the rest of his playing career.

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Commanders-Cowboys inactives: Who’s in, who’s out for Week 12

Which players are in for the Commanders against the Cowboys? And who is out? Inactive list is here.

The Washington Commanders released their inactive list ahead of Sunday’s showdown against the Dallas Cowboys and there were no surprises.

All three of Washington’s top offensive tackles are healthy and active. Kicker Austin Seibert is also back after missing the previous two games. Cornerback Emmanuel Forbes is once again a healthy scratch.

Here is the complete inactive list:

  • CB Emmanuel Forbes
  • CB Marshon Lattimore
  • G Chris Paul
  • QB Jeff Driskel
  • LB Dominique Hampton

Lattimore remains inactive as he recovers from a hamstring. Head coach Dan Quinn said last week he was getting closer to making his Washington debut.

The Cowboys will be without numerous starters for this game. They placed quarterback Dak Prescott on season-ending injured reserve last week. Future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin, cornerback Trevon Diggs, wide receiver Brandin Cooks, guard Tyler Smith and tight end Jake Ferguson are those out for Dallas. Cooks remains on IR, but was expected to be activated.

Here is Dallas’ complete inactive list:

  • G Zack Martin
  • G Tyler Smith
  • RB Deuce Vaughn
  • CB Trevon Diggs
  • CB Caelen Carson
  • DE Tyrus Wheat
  • TE Jake Ferguson

 

Cowboys receive some good injury news ahead of Week 12 vs. Commanders

The Cowboys will have their top offensive player vs. Commanders.

The Washington Commanders (7-4) are playing the Dallas Cowboys (3-7) at the right time. The Cowboys saw several starters depart the game with injuries after a blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night.

This week’s injury report featured several of Dallas’ best players, including CeeDee Lamb, Zack Martin, Tyler Smith, DaRon Bland, Trevon Diggs and others.

Dallas is already without quarterback Dak Prescott for the season. What other starters would miss Sunday’s NFC East showdown vs. Washington?

On Friday, the Cowboys released their final injury report and it did contain some good news. While tight end Jake Ferguson and safety Markquese Bell were ruled out, Lamb, who missed Thursday’s practice, will play Sunday.

Things don’t appear so positive for the future Hall of Famer Martin. Dallas listed him as doubtful with ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin has battled injuries all season.

Diggs, Smith and wide receiver Brandin Cooks are all questionable. Bland and fellow cornerback Jourdan Lewis will play on Sunday, though.

The Cowboys are in the middle of a five-game losing streak and coming off back-to-back blowout losses to Philadelphia and Houston.

 

Cowboys battling numerous injuries ahead of Week 12 vs. Commanders

The Cowboys are dealing with several injuries ahead of Week 12, especially on the offensive line.

It’s been a difficult season for the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas has lost five consecutive games entering their Week 12 matchup against the Washington Commanders, and the injuries have started to pile up.

In addition to losing quarterback Dak Prescott for the season after eight games, the Cowboys have gone without top pass-rushers Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence for a combined 10 games this season.

During Monday’s loss to the Houston Texans, the Cowboys lost five more starters throughout the game, including future Hall of Fame guard Zack Martin.

Martin (ankle), tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion), left tackle Tyler Guyton (shoulder), guard Tyler Smith (ankle) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) all left Monday’s game and did not return. With a short week, it will be interesting to see how many Cowboys can play against the Commanders.

With a backup quarterback and three ailing starters on the offensive line, the Cowboys could be in trouble against a Washington defense that has played well lately.

Dallas will reveal its first injury report for Week 12 on Wednesday.