When last year’s contract extension talks between Dallas Cowboys and Zack Martin failed to bring a long-term deal, former Notre Dame guard was left a bit disappointed. The best guard in the NFL was ready to commit to America’s Team for several years even before 2017 season started. But, both sides are prepared to sit at the negotiations table this off-season to finish what they started a year ago. Dallas’s top brass and Martin’s agent Tom Condon are in everyday contact.
NFL competition committee has meetings in Indianapolis during NFL Combine, and during one of the breaks Stephen Jones, Cowboys vice-president spoke to the gathered press: “We do have a planned meeting with Tom. I’m always optimistic. Usually, when we want to get something done, we can figure it out. It takes two to tango at the end of the day. Certainly, he’s a great player; he’s a guy we want to have a Cowboy uniform on for the rest of his career if we can do that. We’ve got some work to do.”
Zack Martin was 16th selection of 2014 NFL Draft. Since his rookie season, he’s been one of leagues premium guards. During his four-year tenure with Big D franchise, he’s made Pro Bowls every season. Also, Martin has two first-team All-Pro and two second-team All-Pro honors. Last year he played in all 16 games, allowing only one sack. The one stat that is a testimony to his quality is that he didn’t receive even one holding penalty during 2017 season.
The current contract of former Notre Dame product guarantees him $9.3 million for 2018. NFL’s best guard needs to earn more than that. When Kevin Zeitler signed with Cleveland Browns in 2017, he became leagues best-paid guard. Zeitler penned a five-year $60 million contract.
Martin is expected to top this when he signs his extension with Dallas Cowboys, which would make him the highest paid player at the position. An honor he very well deserves.
