Please. Not like this...
The Dallas Cowboys have played host to some of the greatest players in individual history, and guard Zack Martin is firmly in that tier. You can count on one hand the number of guards in league history who are better than the former 2014 first-rounder.
Martin has tried his best to keep the Dallas offense competitive in what has become a nightmarish 2024 season, but even his best efforts are starting to fall by the wayside. After suffering an ankle injury earlier in the season, Martin officially called time on what could be his last season as a Cowboy.
Martin will miss the remainder of the 2024 season with an ankle injury. The fact he is 34 years old, taking a slight step back in his overall quality as a blocker, and on a Cowboys team that may not have the financial resources to bring him back could lead to 2024 being Martin's swan song in Dallas.
Cowboys guard Zack Martin out for 2024 season with ankle injury
Martin, who will get a gold jacket in Canton at the end of his career, has made nine Pro Bowls and nine All-Pro teams (seven First Team nods) in his career. The only time he did not receive either of those honors was the 2020 season, where he played in just 10 games.
Despite his age (34) and a slight decline in production, Martin has once again been one of the best guards in the NFC. With the Cowboys struggling as a result of the Tyler Guyton left tackle transition and more injuries up front, Martin has remained one of the few constants in what has quickly become a wretched season.
The Cowboys will need to make some cost-cutting moves in order to account for Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb's huge contracts and also save money for Micah Parsons' big deal. With Martin on the back nine of his career, he could end up being a casualty of this cost-cutting strategy.
Martin's time in Dallas coming to a close via injury on a lousy team with Cooper Rush as the starting quarterback is not befitting someone of his legendary status. If this is the end for Martin in Dallas, he left fans with a lifetime of dominant memories to hold on to.
It is a shame his greatness wasn't rewarded with a Lombardi Trophy. If this is, in fact, the end of Martin's playing career, he'll have a spot reserved in Canton once he becomes Hall of Fame eligible.
