Tabbing Martin as a key piece on an offensive line that includes fellow first-rounders Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, the Cowboys noticed Martin develop into one of many biggest gamers in franchise historical past. He earned seven first-team All-Professional honors and obtained 9 Professional Bowl invitations, putting the Notre Dame alum among the many absolute best in NFL historical past for any O-line place. He was an important piece for the Cowboys throughout their Tony Romo– and Dak Prescott-centered durations.
Martin signed a six-year, $84M contract. That deal had given the Cowboys eight years of management, because the staff prolonged its proper guard quickly after exercising his fifth-year possibility. As that contract time period waned, Martin efficiently secured the ultimate two years assured. The Cowboys caved throughout their prime lineman’s 2023 holdout, giving him $36.85M assured. That lined the 2023 and ’24 seasons. Because of Martin’s retirement, the Cowboys can be hit with $26.46M in useless cash.
The Cowboys have been capable of keep away from a void years-driven cap crunch with Prescott, giving him a record-smashing extension hours earlier than their Week 1 recreation. Martin’s cash was set to void had he not re-signed with the staff earlier than the beginning of the 2025 league 12 months. This retirement won’t assist, because it nonetheless represents a departure. Though the restructures the Cowboys carried out with Martin’s contract will put them in a little bit of a bind because of this exit, he rewarded the staff for a few years. Few golf equipment had comparable choices throughout Martin’s tenure.
Martin’s seven first-team All-Professional nods match Corridor of Famers John Hannah and Randall McDaniel for many in NFL historical past amongst guards. Amongst guards to start their careers within the twenty first century, Martin is 2 above anybody else on this space. Solely 4 offensive linemen (Jim Otto, Ron Combine, Anthony Munoz, Jim Parker) are forward of Martin by way of first-team All-Professional placements. Of that quartet, solely Munoz started his profession after the 1970 merger. One of the crucial distinguished gamers on the 2010s’ All-Decade staff, Martin can be a protected wager to e book a Canton invite in 2030.
Final season, Martin landed on IR as a result of an ankle harm. The seven missed video games matched probably the most of his profession. The one seasons that didn’t finish with a first- or second-team Martin All-Professional distinction concerned season-ending accidents (2020, ’24). Past that, the Cowboys may financial institution on him elevating their offense. One of many Jerry Jones–Will McClay period’s prime finds, Martin helped the Cowboys to 6 playoff berths. Dallas additionally completed a traditionally uncommon feat by seeing DeMarco Murray and Ezekiel Elliott win dashing titles three years aside, with Elliott including a second crown in 2018 as effectively. Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle additionally produced 1,000-yard dashing seasons throughout Martin’s profession, although the latter effort got here partially whereas he was down with harm.
Final summer season, Martin floated the chance 2024 could be his final season. Though he mentioned earlier this month no resolution was made, he’ll move on testing the market. Whereas Martin did fairly effectively for himself ($111.6M in profession earnings), he joins Smith in seeing a prolonged contract stop him from maximizing his worth. Excepting Prescott and CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys had accomplished effectively to tie their standout performers to five- and six-year offers; Smith’s lasted eight years. However Martin is the final of the Cowboys’ Romo- and Prescott-era core blockers to depart. Frederick retired after the 2019 season, whereas Smith joined the Jets in free company final 12 months.
Dallas has recognized one other guard standout, putting in Tyler Smith there after initially having deliberate for him to succeed Tyron Smith at LT. The staff, which struggled to interchange the elder Smith and middle Tyler Biadasz final 12 months, now should change probably the most adorned O-lineman in its historical past.
