Zack Martin Ends Holdout, Agrees to Reworked Deal with Dallas Cowboys
OXNARD, Calif. — After a 21-day holdout, Zack Martin, the All-Pro guard for the Dallas Cowboys, is finally on his way to training camp in Oxnard, California. The Cowboys and Martin have reached an agreement on a reworked contract that will pay him over $18 million in each of the next two years, according to sources.
The reworked deal includes full guarantees for both years. Previously, Martin was set to earn $13.5 million this year and $14 million in base salary and a roster bonus next year. Although the contract has yet to be signed, Martin is expected to join the team in California soon.
Negotiations between the Cowboys and Martin’s agent have been ongoing for the past 10 days, with direct talks between Martin and team owner and general manager Jerry Jones. The holdout was prompted by Martin feeling underpaid compared to the market value for his position. Since Martin became the highest-paid guard in 2018 at $14 million per year, other players like Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons and Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts have reset the market at $20.5 million and $20 million, respectively.
Earlier in training camp, Jones stated that the Cowboys were reluctant to adjust Martin’s contract due to its potential impact on future negotiations with other players, such as Micah Parsons. However, the financial consequences of Martin’s holdout were also a concern for the team. According to the collective bargaining agreement, including off days, the daily fines would have exceeded $1 million, which cannot be rescinded or waived by the team. Martin also had a $500,000 base salary de-escalator that the team could have waived.
Martin, who will turn 33 in November, is considered one of the best offensive linemen in Cowboys history. He has made the Pro Bowl in eight of his nine years in the league and has been named an All-Pro six times. Martin’s return provides stability to the Cowboys’ offensive line, which had been relying on Josh Ball at right guard during his absence.
With Martin back in place, the Cowboys now have time to prepare their starters for the season opener against the New York Giants on September 10. Head coach Mike McCarthy emphasized the importance of having a consistent offensive line during training camp and expressed relief that Martin’s situation has been resolved.
The reworked contract is also good news for quarterback Dak Prescott, who publicly voiced his support for Martin during the holdout. Prescott had urged the team to “pay the man” when asked about Martin’s absence earlier in camp. Martin’s return will undoubtedly boost the morale of the team and provide Prescott with added protection on the field.
Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence, who was drafted in the same year as Martin, expressed confidence in his teammate’s return. Lawrence stated that he was not worried and believed that both Martin and the Cowboys would be fine.
In conclusion, Zack Martin’s holdout has come to an end as he agreed to a reworked contract with the Dallas Cowboys. The deal will pay him over $18 million per year for the next two seasons, with full guarantees. Martin’s return provides a significant boost to the Cowboys’ offensive line and brings stability to the team as they prepare for the upcoming season. With their star guard back in place, the Cowboys can now focus on getting their starters ready for their season opener against the New York Giants.