Zack Martin details key meeting that led to new Cowboys contract
As the training-camp practices rolled along and Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin was nowhere to be found, it was beginning to feel more and more like the holdout and push for a new contract may not find a happy ending. Fortunately for Cowboys fans, Martin and anyone behind the team's offensive line, the two sides came to terms on a pay raise for the All-Pro and everyone walked away with a smile on their face.
One of the most interesting aspects of the entire situation was Cowboys owner Jerry Jones taking a hard stance publicly against altering Martin's contract. He remained consistent in that approach to the public eye, but as Martin himself detailed, it seems a sitdown with Jones was actually what helped push things forward and facilitated the pay raise getting done, as ESPN's Todd Archer detailed.
It's interesting insight into the final stages of Martin's push to receive a pay raise, but it's worth wondering whether Jones was playing some level of hardball and was planning to work out a deal at some point or if he truly planned to not give in to the request. Regardless, the Cowboys get one of their best players back after a brief holdout, Martin receives his new deal and the team can push toward Week 1 without having to worry about whether the All-Pro will be on the field.
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