FRISCO - Zack Martin went out with a bang. Could one of his long-time Dallas Cowboys' blocking buddies leave with only a whimper?
While Martin retired last week to much fanfare - including a press conference and promises of the Ring of Honor and Pro Football Hall of Fame - Tyron Smith is also mulling an end to his stellar career. For 10 years - 2014-23 - they were the foundation of Cowboys' superior offensive lines by manning left tackle and right guard.
Both are 34.
While Martin is officially retired, Smith is reportedly also considering it after a disappointing, injury-shortened season with the disastrous New York Jets.
"I've got to make a lot of decisions going forward," Smith said in January. "I have to decide what I'm going to do as far as playing or not playing."
He has since said he has recovered "full range of motion" in his neck.
After the one-year contract with the Jets, he'll be an unrestricted free agent March 12. He is listed No. 87 on NFL.com's Top 101 free agents.
Signed to be a major protector for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Smith started the first 10 games before suffering a neck injury in November that landed him on injured reserve and ended his season. He was replaced by rookie and 11th overall draft pick Olu Fashanu and not re-signed by a Jets now going in a very different direction without Rodgers.
Even when healthy, he didn't play up to the standards set during his 13 years with the Cowboys. Pro Football Focus ranked him only 30th among starting tackles, and in 10 games he committed six penalties and allowed five sacks (112th out of 141 tackles).
Because of various ailments, Smith hasn't played a full season since 2015.
Martin is likely a slam-dunk to Canton, with 11 Pro Bowls and seven All Pros. Smith made eight Pro Bowls and was named first-team All-Pro twice.
In the market for a stop-gap protector for franchise quarterback Drake Maye, the New England Patriots have been rumored to a be team interested in Smith if he opts to play in 2025.
