NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero surprised the football world on Thursday afternoon, announcing that Dallas Cowboys right guard Zack Martin had decided to call it quits after 11 seasons in the league. And a few of his teammates, including Micah Parsons, are sad to see him go.
The news of Martin’s retirement may leave a bad taste in Cowboys fans’ mouths, especially after the disappointing season that occurred in 2024, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020. The offensive line had already been struggling as well with Martin in, especially in the run game, averaging just over 100 yards per contest.
Now, the need to address the O-line becomes that much more important entering free agency and the NFL draft.
After word spread of Martin’s retirement, Parsons took to social media to share a message for his parting teammate, thanking Martin for their time together.
“The realest,” Parsons wrote on his Instagram Story. “thank you for everything boss!”
Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons’ message to Zack Martin
Screenshot from Micah Parsons’ Instagram Story
Parsons and Martin had been teammates for four seasons after the linebacker was taken in the 2021 NFL draft out of Penn State. Following the Cowboys’ brutal 34-6 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 10, Parsons expressed his desire to see Martin hold up a Lombardi Trophy with comments that some people took as a shot at his coach.
“All coaching aside, Mike [McCarthy] can leave and go where he wants to,” Parsons said. “Guys I kind of feel bad for is guys like Zack Martin and guys who might be on their last year, on their way out, because that’s who I wanted to hold the trophy for.”
In the end, Martin will sail off to retirement without a Super Bowl ring or even an appearance in a conference championship. Still, he will go down as one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, being named to nine total All-Pro teams and seven first-teams.
Martin should find himself in Canton in the future.
