Let this be clear, this has nothing to do with Martin as a player. The athlete drafted out of Notre Dame in 2014 will walk into the Hall of Fame in five years on the first ballot as he's one of the greatest guards to ever play the game. Some of his accolades would sound fake even on a video game. Martin played 11 seasons in the NFL and in each of the nine seasons in which he played. In at least 14 games, he was either first- or second-team All-Pro.
He was one of just 11 guards ever to make at least five All-Pro first teams and the other 10 are all in the Hall of Fame.
Perhaps the most stunning stat of his career is that he made as many All-Pro first teams as he committed holding penalties (that were accepted), with a total of seven — absolutely mind-boggling when you realize he started 162 games in his brilliant career.
So, how in the world does his retirement represent yet another Cowboys failure?
Zack Martin was the final brick remaining in the Cowboys once-dominant, offensive line wall. He was famously chosen over the now infamous Johnny Manziel, whom team owner Jerry Jones reportedly wanted, and plugged in immediately at right guard on the other side of 2013 first-rounder Travis Frederick and 2011 first rounder Tyron Smith.
Incredibly, the first year that all three of them were together, Martin was named first-team All-Pro, Frederick was the second-team All-Pro center and Smith was named first-team All-Pro left tackle. Think about that: The Cowboys had a trio of elite All-Pro offensive linemen at the same time. You may remember that year because Tony Romo was the highest-rated QB in the game, and DeMarco Murray, rushing behind that elite line, led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards — still the Cowboys' single-season record.
Topping that, in 2016, all three of them were named first-team All-Pro at their respective positions. The Cowboys went 13-3 that year and they were responsible for Ezekiel Elliott coming in as a rookie and leading the NFL in rushing with 1,631 yards. It’s incredible to think that for six seasons, the Cowboys had three of the very best offensive linemen in the NFL on the same line yet failed to capitalize on it. It’s the nearly inconceivable inability of this franchise, regardless of whom the quarterback or coaches are, or how dominant the offensive line is, to capitalize on opportunity.
The Washington Commanders just ended the longest drought in the NFC without a championship game appearance this past season. The Cowboys’ conference rival hadn’t even won a playoff game since 2005 before now. They took advantage of their opportunity. Another NFC East club, the New York Giants, are an incredible example of this. Former QB Eli Manning only made it to the playoffs six times in his 16-year career. The Giants won playoff games in just two of those seasons and yes, those were the two seasons in which they won Super Bowls. They took advantage of their opportunities in those seasons. The Eagles just did that this past year. They watched Detroit lose to Washington, giving them a home playoff game for the NFC Championship if they could beat the LA Rams at home in the divisional round. They did just that, springboarding them to a Super Bowl title.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys continue to struggle to take advantage of opportunities in the postseason. They’ve won just five playoff games since 1995. Twice, once in 2007 and again in 2016, they were the No. 1 seed and merely needed to win a single game to make it to an NFC Championship, the final four. Each time, however, they failed.
Now, there’s a new window in Dallas with a new coach, and now, the final cog in what was once a dominant offensive line, calling it a career. It’s too early to tell if it’s a window of genuine opportunity, however.Ya ya ya Zack Martin had more All-Pro selections than holding penalties BUT more importantly…
— WeAreBigGuys (@WeAreBigGuys) February 20, 2025
He was always about that action boss pic.twitter.com/chZ3vdPiks
It’s amazing to think of some of the elite-level talent the Cowboys have deployed over the last 30 years that never set foot on the field for an NFC Championship Game, much less a Super Bowl. It’s a list that would be the envy of many franchises to have players perform at such a high level for so long. And yet, this franchise continually fails to take advantage of those years.
Hall of Famer DeMarcus Ware was a four-time first-team All-Pro in Dallas, before leaving for Denver and becoming Super Bowl champion. Jason Witten will be a Hall of Famer, possibly next year, and was also a four-time All-Pro. Tyron Smith finally left for the Jets last year but was a five-time All-Pro with the Cowboys. Travis Frederick, in his brief six-year career, was a three-time All-Pro. No one in franchise history had more first-team All-Pro selections than Martin.
And with the closure of that window, a new one opens for Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb, both of whom have already been selected as first-team All-Pros in their young careers. So have Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland, Brandon Aubrey and KaVonte Turpin. The Cowboys didn't lack high-end talent in most years. But the disconnect in results when it matters and their ability to field a team with some of the best players in the NFL continues forth into a 30th season that will begin this September.
A young core is in place, led by a veteran quarterback going into his 10th season. If the Cowboys decide to move on from star edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence, who is now a free agent, Prescott will become the longest-tenured Cowboy. Will he finally be able to take this group of young talent beyond the glass ceiling they’ve continually butt their heads against season after season?
Zack Martin won’t be there to find out, let alone block for Prescott the way he has done at such a high level for so long.
Thanks for being a badass, Zack. Like so many before you, we're sorry this franchise couldn’t take advantage of the elite career you gave them.
