ARLINGTON, Texas — Zack Martin is expected to retire from the Dallas Cowboys in 2025 and, once he does, it will officially mark the end of an offensive line era that began with the selection of Tyron Smith in 2011, Travis Frederick in 2013 and, completing the triumvirate, was Martin getting the call in 2014.
The three combined to produce 21 Pro Bowl honors and 17 All-Pro nods, Martin earning nine of the Pro Bowl honors and nine All-Pro awards.
Needless to say, as quarterback Dak Prescott pointed out recently, is an incomparable career.
"Zack's the best," said the All-Pro quarterback from the launch of the Girl's High School Flag Football League. "It's hard to even fathom a locker room or huddle without Zack Martin. He's been here since I've been here and he's been a warrior. You talk about a guy who doesn't miss time and, if he does, you know it's bad."
A finalist for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2024, Martin's impact flies well beyond what he was able to achieve on the field — both in the community and in the locker room.
"He's the ultimate leader," Prescott said. "He leads by example. He doesn't have to say much and when he does, you're all ears. It's a guy who you can't replace. You just can't replace him with one guy. It's going to take myself and a bunch of other guys, and I'm not even talking about just on the field. I'm talking about the leadership he brings off of the field."
The pending retirement does force the Cowboys to try and figure out the future of the position as Brian Schottenheimer bonds with offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and offensive line coach Conor Riley to come to terms on the solution.
For a player who had as many holding penalties (7) in his 11 seasons as First-team All-Pro awards, the loss will sting in a big way, to say the very least.
"We'll have to step it up and fill that void," Prescott added. "[Martin] is loved and appreciated, and you look at the stat about his holding penalties and that speaks for itself. He's a first-ballot guy. Incredible, incredible career.
"I'm sad that he's hanging it up, but I'm happy for him."
An official ceremony will be held to honor Martin and his career on Wednesday, March 5.
