Cowboys' Zack Martin to retire following 11-year Hall of Fame-caliber career

Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram on Feb 20, 2025

Published in Football

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Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin informed the team on Thursday that he intends to retire, a source confirmed to the Star-Telegram. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was the first to report.

After an 11-year career that included nine Pro Bowl selections and seven first-team All-Pro honors, Martin officially hangs it up at the age of 34.

Following a 2024 season that was riddled with injuries to his shoulder and ankle that kept him out for seven games, retirement became a legitimate possibility for an elite lineman that had not played up to his standard in his 11th year. His five sacks allowed in 2024, per Pro Football Focus, were the most he had given up in any season despite playing just 10 games. Now, he officially walks away from the game.

His seven All-Pro nods are tied for the most ever by a guard in NFL history and are tied for the most ever earned by a Dallas Cowboy, joining Randy White and Bob Lilly. Among his mind-boggling accomplishments, Martin’s seven All-Pro honors match the total number of holding penalties that he was called for during his career, also seven.

Expected to be an early entrant into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, Martin will become eligible for Hall of Fame status beginning in 2030.