Martin is a seven-time First Team All-Pro, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and made the NFL Top 100 eight times.
FRISCO, Texas — Dallas Cowboys All-Pro guard Zack Martin has retired from the NFL after 11 seasons.
Martin held his retirement press conference Wednesday from The Star in Frisco, where he shared a heartfelt “thank you” to his teammates, coaches, family and Cowboys Nation.
“To the offensive line who were here when I arrived – Doug Free, Travis Frederick, Ron Leary, Tyron Smith, Mackenzy Bernadeau, Jeremy Parnell and the rest of that room. Thank you,” Martin said. “You reinforced everything I believed about this game. There are no shortcuts. Success is about the work, the preparation, and most importantly, the bonds you build with the men next to you.”
Martin said the offensive line is a unique brotherhood, where “five guys move as one, doing the dirty work to ensure the teams’ success.” He said being part of the Cowboys offensive line was a job that demands selflessness, toughness and an unwavering commitment to the small details. Martin said he started his football career when he was younger playing on the defensive line, but it didn’t take long before he was practicing offensive line blocking drills and fell in love with offensive line play.
Dallas Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones was asked if Martin would be in the Cowboys Ring of Honor before making the Hall of Fame, to which Jones simply responded “yes.” Jones noted the special player Martin was to the Cowboys organization by pointing out who was in the room to support him, teammates old and new, including his quarterbacks Tony Romo and Dak Prescott.
Jones called the decision to draft Martin (instead of Johnny Manziel) “the best right decision” he’s ever made.
Martin decided to retire after a tumultuous season for the Cowboys and Martin, who underwent season-ending ankle surgery after playing in just 10 games during the 2024-2025 season.
Martin ends his career in the NFL after having earned First Team All-Pro honors seven times in his 11 seasons, appearing in nine Pro Bowls and making the annual NFL Top 100 list eight times.
