Emotions are running high after the Dallas Cowboys held Zack Martin's retirement ceremony at The Star on Wednesday morning.
Though Martin did not play up to his All-Pro standard the last two seasons, we are still talking about one of the best offensive lineman of his generation. Replacing Martin won't be easy, even if Dallas feels the solution might already be on the roster.
The Cowboys could look internally, shop on the margins of free agency or take to the NFL Draft to replenish their depth in the trenches. What they absolutely should not do is what the Bears did on Wednesday: trade for an expensive and aging starter in Joe Thuney.
While Thuney is one of the game's premier guards and only cost Chicago a 2026 fourth-round draft pick, he is entering his age-33 season. Martin just retired at age-34.
The drop-off for Thuney can happen at any moment, but the Bears are the least of our concerns. After all, this trade could benefit Dallas in a huge way come April.
Bears may save Cowboys from selecting Ashton Jeanty in the NFL Draft
The general consensus in the NFL world is that the Bears will now target Ashton Jeanty with their first-round pick. They happen to draft two picks before the Cowboys at No. 10 overall.
Offensive line was arguably Chicago's biggest need this offseason. In the past 24 hours, they've traded for Thuney and Rams starter Jonah Jackson, who played under new head coach Ben Johnson in Detroit. While trading for two expensive guards is a questionable roster-building strategy, Thuney and Jackson plug two gaping holes in Johnson's offense.
With D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze locked in as the top two receivers and Cole Kmet under contract at tight end, Jeanty suddenly makes a lot of sense for the Bears.That would be a blessing in disguise for the Cowboys. While Jeanty is an outstanding prospect, it would be a massive mistake for Dallas to spend a first-round pick on a running back in what is considered a historically deep class at the position.
The draft is loaded with likely day one starters. A handful of prospects, not just Jeanty, have the potential to be immediate stars as well. That list includes Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, Dylan Sampson, Kaleb Johnson and TreVeyon Henderson, among others.
ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. even believes the gap between Jeanty and Hampton, his No. 2 running back, is not significant.
Jeanty has the potential to transform Dallas' offense, but Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMilla and Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham (if they fall) would be smarter picks. Trading back to pick up another day two pick should also be in the conversation.
If there was ever a year not to draft a running back in round one, this is it. The Bears may end up saving Dallas from themselves.
