The Dallas Cowboys dealt with a growing training camp issue by reworking guard Zack Martin‘s contract. As a result, the six-time All-Pro will see $36.85M in fully-guaranteed money over the final two years of his deal.
Owner Jerry Jones made a number of public remarks which suggested the Cowboys were not particularly interested in renegotiating Martin’s pact, one which originally set the market for guards but had been overtaken in recent years by other mega-contracts at the position. A lengthy (and expensive) holdout by the 32-year-old came to an end shortly after face-to-face conversations with Jones produced an agreement on a raise.
As Jones indicated recently, the extra money given to Martin alters the spending power the team has when it comes time to negotiate new deals for other internal priorities. A number of players in that category – including, most notably, cornerback Trevon Diggs – have already inked an extension this offseason, but plenty more work remains in that regard. The likes of quarterback Dak Prescott, edge rusher Micah Parsons and wideout CeeDee Lamb will all be eligible for either a restructured pact or an extension next offseason.
“It’s going to be more difficult," Jones said on how Martin's raise will impact the franchise's financial flexibility (h/t the Dallas News’ Calvin Watkins). "We have less money but that’s OK; we made [do with what] we don’t have. We put it to good use. It’s going to the right man."
Martin will be counted on to remain amongst the league’s top O-linemen with his new deal in hand, especially given the cap spike (up to $28.5M) it calls for in 2024. Lowering Prescott’s cap figure for that year – currently set at just under $59.5M – and getting Parsons and Lamb on the books for the long-term future will be high on the team’s to-do list. In spite of the slightly increased challenge presented by the Martin agreement (and his own remarks foreshadowing it), Jones remains pleased with the Cowboys’ current financial situation. Added Jones:
“That is the point and that’s what I expressed. The facts are, if somebody was going to get it, he’s the right kind [of player at] the right time, obviously he’s the right kind. It’s the right way to do it. I’m satisfied and I’m comfortable with it.”
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