According to sources, six-time All-Pro guard and team captain Zack Martin of the Dallas Cowboys is contemplating not reporting to training camp. This decision stems from his dissatisfaction with his current contract and the team’s reluctance to restructure it. A source close to Martin revealed that he feels “woefully underpaid relative to the market.”
Disparity in Salary
Compared to the highest-paid guards in the NFL, Martin is set to earn approximately $7 million less this season. Players like Chris Lindstrom of the Falcons and Quenton Nelson of the Colts currently top the list with an average salary of $20 million. Despite being 32 years old, Martin remains one of the most productive players in the league, earning his sixth first-team All-Pro nod last season.
Previous Discussions and Contract Restructuring
Earlier this year, the Cowboys and Martin’s representatives engaged in brief discussions about reworking the seven-year, $93.41 million deal he signed in 2018. However, no significant progress was made. In an effort to create salary-cap space, the Cowboys restructured Martin’s contract for the fifth consecutive year in March. This involved converting $12 million of his $13.5 million base salary into a signing bonus. Martin is currently under contract until 2024, and as a result of these restructurings, his cap figure for next year exceeds $23 million.
Future Contract Extensions for Other Players
While dealing with Martin’s contract dispute, the Cowboys are also aiming to secure contract extensions for wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and cornerback Trevon Diggs, both Pro Bowlers. Additionally, they have expressed interest in extending the deal for right tackle Terence Steele, who is recovering from a significant knee injury. Despite missing only eight games throughout his career, Martin has been selected to the Pro Bowl on eight occasions, second only to Hall of Famer Larry Allen in terms of the number of appearances by a Cowboys guard.
In light of the ongoing contract disagreement between Zack Martin and the Dallas Cowboys, there is uncertainty surrounding the player’s participation in training camp. Martin’s discontent with his current contract and the team’s failure to address his concerns have prompted him to consider holding out. With a significant salary discrepancy compared to other top-paid guards, Martin believes that his contributions and achievements warrant a more lucrative contract. The Cowboys, on the other hand, are focused on securing contract extensions for several other key players. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this contract dispute will be resolved and what impact it will have on the team’s upcoming season.
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