The Dallas Cowboys and Zack Martin getting a deal done ahead of the season was in both parties’ best interest, but at times Martin had his doubts.
Dallas’ longtime right guard held out of the beginning of training camp in search of a new deal. It took about three weeks, but the sides reached a reworked, fully-guaranteed deal that will pay him $36 million across this season and next.
Not having Martin, a six-time All-Pro who was named to the 2010s All-Decade team, would be tough blow to the Cowboys’ offensive line. It would have been equally impactful on Martin, who at 32 is running out of opportunities to cash in.
But a face-to-face meeting with Jerry Jones helped push things across the finish line, and now he’ll be in his typical spot on the line when Dallas begins its season Sunday night against the Giants.
“I’d be lying if there weren’t a couple days where I was kind of feeling sorry for myself and not sure if it would get done,” Martin admitted Thursday in his weekly appearance on the GBag Nation. “But for the most part, in the back of my mind I had a good feeling I would be suited up for Week 1.”
With Martin signed and ready to go, the Cowboys will open the season up with Martin and tackle Terence Steele -- who got a five-year, $86.8 million extension earlier this week -- on the right side. Tyler Biadasz will start at center, with Tyler Smith and Tyron Smith in line to start at left guard and tackle, respectively.