Time doesn’t pass in vain, Zack Martin had to admit, as he considers his options heading into the 2024 NFL season. The Dallas Cowboys star offensive lineman is still undecided about whether next season will be the last of his career, but he admitted he is very close to saying goodbye.
Martin entered the NFL in 2014 as the 16th overall draft pick by the Cowboys. The University of Notre Dame product has been a pillar of the Dallas offensive line since then, and his great work has earned him several accolades.
Throughout his career, the 10-year veteran has been called to the Pro Bowl nine times and named to the First Team All-Pro seven times. He is also one of the most durable players in the league, having only missed 13 games in his entire career.
However, the bastion of the Cowboys’ offensive line has already begun to feel the ravages of time, and that could end his career.
The wear and tear of the body
Although he has never suffered serious injuries, Martin admitted that his body is already feeling the wear and tear of age. “And then I think the big thing is — and I’m definitely still here, which is why I’m back this year — you have to be all-in on this thing,” the player noted.
He explained that to play in the NFL, “You’ve got to be locked in. You’ve got to be obsessed with it. I think when that feeling starts to fade a little bit, then it’s probably time to go and do something else.”
Another important factor is the departure of several of his oldest colleagues. This offseason, Tyron Smith left Dallas as a free agent and signed with the New York Jets. Martin and DeMarcus Lawrence are the oldest players on the team, both selected in the 2014 Draft.
His reduced training
To conserve his energy for the regular season, Martin has reduced the intensity of his practices during organized team activities (OTAs). Since the previous season, he worked apart from the team, although he took all walk-through snaps.
In this regard, the player explained, “I talked with the coaches after the season, just kind of listening to my body and making sure I’m as healthy and feeling as good as I can go into Sundays. So, whatever that looks like as the season progresses, we’ll adjust accordingly.”
