All-Pro guard Zack Martin ended his holdout on Monday after reaching a new deal with the Dallas Cowboys.
The reworked contract will pay him more than $18 million in each of the next two years, fully guaranteed, per multiple media reports.
That’s an extra $8.5 million for Martin, who had been slated to earn $13.5 million in 2023 and $14 million in 2024.
Martin told ESPN regarding Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, “He was great. We were able to have that one-on-one time, and I think that helped, just being able to talk face-to-face. I think ultimately that’s what made me feel more comfortable and how he felt more comfortable and then we started talking about this and numbers and where we eventually headed.”
Martin, 32, had been a holdout from training camp in Oxnard, Calif., while seeking additional compensation.
“I just think I’ve been here a long time,” Martin told ESPN. “I’ve accomplished some great things but just felt like where I was in the market that it’s something that had been deserved and felt strongly about it. Obviously it took a little time, but I’m super grateful to the Joneses. Once we started talking and having that connection, we were able to figure something out that worked for both of us.”
The six-time All-Pro and eight-time Pro Bowl selection is going into his 10th season with the Cowboys, who drafted him in the first round (16th overall) in 2014.
Martin has started 137 regular-season games and eight postseason games for Dallas.
–Field Level Media