FRISCO, TEXAS — The Dallas Cowboys have restructured the contract of nine-time Pro Bowl right guard Zach Martin, freeing up cap space in 2024 and 2025.
The move frees up nearly $13 million in cap space in 2024 and puts Dallas under the $255.4 million salary cap ahead of the start of free agency next Wednesday. It also frees up cap space for what is expected to be a difficult year for the Cowboys in 2025, considering the dead money from expiring contracts such as Martin, Brandin Cooks and DeMarcus Lawrence.
After signing Martin to a six-year, $84 million contract in 2018, the seven-time All-Pro guard continued on his Hall of Fame pace before requesting a raise for the 2023 season. Negotiations were concluded after a harrowing period in which Martin missed most of training camp before receiving an $8.5 million salary increase over the final two seasons of his contract, which expires at the end of next season.
The Cowboys currently have a little more room under the salary cap to enter free agency, but to make any kind of big splash, they'll need other favored players like Dak Prescott, Terrence Steele, and Trevon Diggs to make any kind of splash. It will also be necessary to take measures regarding such contracts. Free agency from an economic point of view.
Last season, Martin started 15 games and was named to the AP All-Pro First Team for the seventh time in his career. Martin played 908 snaps during the season, but allowed only four sacks and three penalties.
