Jerry Jones explains Cowboys hardline stance on Zack Martin contract

Zack Martin is holding out of Dallas Cowboys training camp in hopes of securing a bigger contract. Jerry Jones doesn’t appear ready to budge. 

The Dallas Cowboys finished last season 12-5 with the top wild card spot in the NFC, but they ultimately suffered a second-round exit at the hands of San Francisco. With the new season on the horizon, one would expect the Cowboys to be collectively focused on the same goal: winning the championship.

Unfortunately for Dallas, a slew of contractual disputes have soured the offseason. Trevon Diggs recently secured the bag with a massive long-term extension, but CeeDee Lamb, Terence Steele, and Micah Parsons are all on the docket. And now, so is training camp holdout Zack Martin, arguably the best (and certainly the most accomplished) player on the Dallas roster.

It can be easy to overlook the value of offensive linemen, but Martin has eight Pro Bowls on his résumé and he’s a member of the Hall of Fame 2010s All-Decade team. The Cowboys have been the beneficiaries of nine years of consistent service from Martin, but now he has a simple request: pay me what I’m worth.

Martin’s current contract gives him an annual average value of roughly $14 million, which he considers “woefully” below market value. There are seven offensive guards in the NFL paid more than Martin. There aren’t seven offensive guards better than Martin.

That said, it doesn’t sound like Jerry Jones will budge on Martin’s current contract, which runs through 2024.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones won’t budge on Zack Martin contract dispute

Jones said the two sides will take it “day by day,” but the Cowboys are making a clear statement to Martin: you are not the top priority. Diggs got his big extension first; now Parsons is being positioned as a player who needs his money first. Dak Prescott called for the Cowboys to pay Martin, but Prescott isn’t in a position of power here.

This is a bold stance from Jones, who has historically been willing to spend big where it counts to keep the Cowboys competitive. Dallas has been a running back haven for the last decade, but the secret to being a running back haven is to be an offensive line haven. Dallas has built its reputation, in part, around the strength of its offensive line.

Martin has been essential to the Cowboys’ success in the run game. He has also done an outstanding job of protecting the likes of Tony Romo and Dak Prescott in the pocket. Consider the explosive rushing totals of prime Ezekiel Elliott. Consider CeeDee Lamb’s propensity for big catches and long gains. Those players don’t reach the same heights without Martin and the O-line laying the foundation for an elite offense.

The Cowboys, like any competitive team, have to make difficult financial decisions. Jerry Jones has both short and long-term ramifications to consider. Martin is 32 years old. Micah Parsons and CeeDee Lamb are 24. Dallas is undoubtedly taking depth and age into account here. How much longer can Martin remain his Pro Bowl, Hall of Fame self?

That’s a valid question, but in the end, Martin remained at the top of his game last season. The Cowboys will still rely heavily on Tony Pollard and the run game, and the pass game will still flourish in part due to the offensive line’s ability to afford Prescott extra time in the pocket. Let Martin walk and the Cowboys’ offense takes a massive blow.

Plus, if any player has earned a big payday from Dallas, it’s Martin. It’s generally unwise for front offices to get sentimental, but one has to imagine letting a disgruntled Martin walk out the door is not how the Cowboys — or the fanbase — want that relationship to end.