Cowboys’ Zack Martin considering training camp holdout as All-Pro guard unhappy with contract, per report

The Dallas Cowboys knew they would have to begin contract extension talks in earnest with a number of their Pro Bowl players in quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, cornerback Trevon Diggs, and linebacker/defensive end Micah Parsons — all of whom have two years or fewer remaining on their current contracts. 

However, eight-time Pro Bowl and six-time first-team All-Pro right guard Zack Martin, a team captain, is looking to jump to the front of that line to speak with Jerry and Stephen Jones about a new deal. In fact, Martin is considering not reporting to training camp due to displeasure with his current contract situation, according to ESPN.

A significant reason for Martin making his unhappiness public is because of the Cowboys’ reported “lack of interest” in re-doing his contract, which has two years remaining on the six-year, $84 million deal he signed back in 2018. He’s set to make $13.5 million in 2023, $7 million fewer than Atlanta Falcons one-time Pro Pro Bowl guard Chris Lindstrom on his five-year, $105.2 million extension he signed this offseason, which reset the guard market. Martin also doesn’t have any guaranteed money remaining on his current contract. 

The 32-year-old Martin has earned Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors in eight of his nine NFL seasons. He’s also been a picture of health, missing just nine games combined since entering the league in 2014. After consecutive first-team All-Pro nods in 2021 and 2022, Martin’s six career selections are tied for the third-most all-time for a guard in league history, trailing only the seven earned by a couple of Hall of Famers in Randall McDaniel and John Hannah. 

Coincidentally, Martin was named a 99 overall player in the upcoming “Madden 24” video game as the NFL’s top guard early Tuesday morning before news of his contract displeasure broke. He is the first guard to receive this honor since former Cowboys guard and Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Allen did back in 2003. The Cowboys are set to report to training camp in Oxnard, California, just six days from now on July 25.