FRISCO, Texas — A day like Thursday at The Star makes it easy to wonder what is next for Zack Martin. Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy announced early in the day that the nine-time All-Pro right guard will have season-ending ankle surgery.
Martin, 34, is not expected to return next season under his current contract.
“This is not the time to have those discussions,” Martin said later in the day. “It’s a tough situation and the most important thing on my mind is getting healthy and then having those conversations down the road. But first and foremost, I want to get healthy and then maybe those conversations are a little bit easier.”
Although Martin is technically signed through next season, the recent restructuring of his contract makes it highly unlikely. If he was to return for a 12th season, it would be under a new deal.
This will be the second time that Martin is having surgery on his right ankle. It’s something he’s dealt with all season, leading to play below his standard. When the ankle stopped responding to the treatment that had helped him in the past, Martin knew it was time to make a tough decision.
“It’s tough,” Martin said. “Anytime you pour everything you have into something and come up short on it and have to do something like this, it sucks. Guys in this locker room put a lot of time into this. It’s just a sh—- situation.”
Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb appeared stunned when told by reporters of the Martin news. Following his news conference outside of the locker room, Lamb immediately walked to Martin’s locker and the two shared a hug.
Cowboys pass rusher Micah Parsons reflected on what he’s learned from Martin over the last four years and expressed hope that he would play at least one more season.
“I definitely think he’d retire before he plays for anybody else,” Parsons said. “This guy bleeds blue and white. He’s literally the representation of the star. Consistency, effort, determination, greatness. He will never play for another team.”
Man of the Year ⭐️
We surprised @thegob70 to tell him he’s been nominated for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award presented by @Nationwide! Zack showcases greatness on the field and in our communities.
🔄Repost to vote! ➡️ #WPMOYChallenge pic.twitter.com/bftq5OD0HY
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 5, 2024
The news also surfaced on a day when it was revealed that Martin is the Cowboys’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award, which honors a player’s commitment to community impact and excellence on the field. Previous Cowboys to win the award include Dak Prescott, Jason Witten, Troy Aikman and Roger Staubach.
“It’s been an interesting few days to say the least,” Martin said. “Coming off those two weeks off and having a little extra time, really preparing to play in the game the last couple of days, then just coming to the realization that I need to get this thing fixed and get healthy, it’s tough. Then having that extreme honor of the nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year, it’s very humbling.
“It makes you feel good inside. To look at some of the teammates in the past I’ve been really close with that have been the nominees, and obviously Dak was a winner of it, to see how much they pour into the community and what they do for this team, not only on the field but off the field, very humbled to be a part of that.”
Martin, a nine-time Pro Bowler and an NFL 2010s All-Decade Team member, has played in at least 14 games in nine of the last 10 seasons. He missed six games in 2020 because of a calf injury.
“I don’t think it’s really hit me,” Martin said. “This is new territory for me. I think I’ve had one other year where I missed the last six or seven games. Other than that, I’ve been out there and been able to finish the year. It’s kind of new territory and I haven’t gotten that far mentally yet.”
(Photo: Andrew Dieb / Imagn Images)
