Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin acknowledged that 2024 could be his final campaign.
While avoiding making a definitive statement about his future, Martin told Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News that he's considered retiring in 2025.
"I'm not saying 100%, but I think it's definitely in the realm of possibilities," Martin said. "And that's one thing I don't want to do. For myself, I don't want to be thinking, 'Oh, this is it. This is it.' I want to stay in the moment, and I want to play the best that I can play at this point and be the best right guard this team needs on a weekly basis. And then after the season, we'll figure out what's going on."
The nine-time Pro Bowler has earned the right to go out on his own terms. Martin has been one of the most consistently brilliant players since he entered the NFL in 2014.
Despite being named a first-team All-Pro for the seventh time in 2023, Martin said he didn't play up to his personal level of excellence.
"I don't think I played honestly up to my standard last year, really," Martin said. "That's another reason why I want to finish this year strong is I think I can play at a high level still. I think I may have come up a little bit short last year. I've got a little chip on my shoulder to get back to that consistent, kind of dominant player that I've been."
Martin turns 34 in November and enters the final year of his contract. His play hasn't fallen off, and he could easily remain in the game for several more years if he chooses. However, he could go out before his play and body deteriorates further.
Last offseason, Martin held out for a contract adjustment. He eventually got the pay bump in mid-August but said the lack of training camp and appropriate ramp-up hindered his play.
"I've had a couple years -- obviously, last year with the contract and a couple other years with some injury stuff I was dealing with during training camp -- where you really don't get those reps," he said. "It's hard to explain, but it kind of feels like you're always playing catch up.
"I felt like last year, you roll in a couple weeks before the season, and you're just trying to play catch up. 'I need to get in the right conditioning shape. I need to get work with the guys I'm playing next to.' I'm very excited to be able to go to training camp this year and get in my rhythm before the season starts."
That grind off training camp and a long season causes some veterans to consider retiring before the league pushes them out the door. After the Cowboys watched Tyron Smith leave for New York this season, it would be doubly difficult to see Martin retire in 2025. But the future Hall of Famer has earned the right to go out on whatever terms he desires.
If 2024 is his final year, Cowboys fans should cherish every pancake block.
