FRISCO — The Dallas Cowboys' offseason is fully underway now with free agency in the rearview. Dallas, much the other 31 NFL franchises, have their sights set on the upcoming NFL Draft.
Jerry Jones' team has a number of positional needs as that time draws near both offensively and defensively. An active yet conservative free agency approach keeps them open to selecting a number of young talent pieces.
Much of the draft discussion revolves around the team's skill positions like wide receiver and running back. But the Cowboys are also facing a glaring hole left vacant on their offensive line.
Future Hall of Fame right guard Zack Martin announced his retirement from the NFL earlier this offseason, marking the end to one of the greatest lineman careers in the modern era. All the assets Martin brought forward will be hard to replace and Dallas must work to ensure they have a stronger line all-around next season.
However, it will be more than his play that the Cowboys lose going forward. Martin's impact transcended the turf and resonated inside The Star. That can be seen clearly in his recent interaction with Cowboys' star receiver CeeDee Lamb.
At a sporting memorabilia event over the weekend, Lamb snuck behind his former teammate, surprising him with a bear hug while Martin was signing a Cowboys helmet.
The two smiled and after a quick pat on the back, Lamb was out. Nonetheless, it made for a brief yet touching reunion between the Cowboys' stars.
Martin and Lamb played together in Dallas for the last five seasons. In that time, Lamb got firsthand evidence to the brilliance of Martin on the line and Martin has watched the star receiver develop into one of the most explosive players in the league.
Lamb will hope to continue on that trajectory heading into a crucial 2025 season for the Cowboys, the first under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. That move at the headset marks a new era of Cowboys football.
At the same time, the change stemming from the departure of a storied player cannot be underestimated either, so there will certainly be some obstacles for the Cowboys to overcome by the time they get to training camp this summer.
