Zack Martin, Cowboys reach deal on restructured contract to end holdout

The Dallas Cowboys and All-Pro guard Zack Martin agreed on a new, reworked deal Monday afternoon.

The new deal will pay him more than $18 million in each of the next two years, according to the sources. Both years will be fully guaranteed.

Martin was scheduled to make $13.5 million this year and $14 million next year.

Martin finally gets the money he deserves for being one of the best in the game, and the Cowboys get to add him to the mix of the most talented roster he has been a part of since he was drafted in 2014.

Cowboys RG Zack Martin now rejoins arguably the best roster he’s been a part of since arriving in Dallas as a 2014 first-round pick. https://t.co/5azKv8hSuW

— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) August 14, 2023

According to Pro Football Focus, Martin has been a top-10 graded OG in every single season he has played in.

#Cowboys RG Zack Martin has been a top-10 graded OG in every single season he has played in, according to @PFF

2022 – 82.8 (9th)
2021 – 93.4 (2nd)
2020 – 91.3 (2nd)
2019 – 88.1 (3rd)
2018 – 79.6 (5th)
2017 – 89.0 (T-1st)
2016 – 89.4 (1st)
2015 – 86.0 (4th)
2014 – 86.2 (5th)

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) August 14, 2023

Jerry Jones recently talked about his unwillingness to budge when it came to getting a deal done with Martin.

Nonetheless, this deal is common sense.

Instead of making 13 and 14 million each of the next two years, as noted above, the bump goes north of $18 million.

This makes Martin the third-highest paid guard behind Chris Lindstrom ($20.5m) and Quenton Nelson ($20m).

He is better than both. Cowboys are paying the third highest money for the best player at his position.

As a result of his holdout, Martin reached $1 million worth of fines.

Offensive Line outlook

With Martin back, the offensive line is nearly at full strength.

Health is still the main factor. Tyron Smith has looked awesome the last month in camp, while Terence Steele has been cleared, but we haven’t heard much about him.

Tyron and Tyler Smith are on the left side. Tyler Biasaz is at the center, and Martin and Steele are on the right side.

Suppose Steele can return to 100% from his injury and give the Cowboys what they had on the right side. It will be a beautiful site.

Depth is the only concern here.

Chuma Edoga was carted off after he hit the ground during a run play last Thursday in camp.

That brings their depth down to three players that could make the 53-man roster.

Rookie Asim Richards from North Carolina, Josh Ball, and Matt Waletzko are the only other three the Cowboys have as depth that anyone has heard about.

I would rather the starters just stay healthy so we don’t have to see any of Ball or Waletzko.

Both have struggled when they have gotten their time to shine.

This is exactly why Mike McCarthy does not want to play any of the high level starters even one drive in the preseason.

It is not worth the risk, not when you have one of the most talented teams in all of football.

Martin should arrive in Oxnard soon and start taking reps with the first team in camp.

All the pieces are now in place.

This roster is really really good. On both sides of the football.

Martin tweeted himself this afternoon it is time to get back to work!

Back to Work.

— Zack Martin (@thegob70) August 14, 2023

I am so excited for this team. Time to get to work and end the 25 year drought.