Cowboys Pick Up Fifth-Year Option On Guard Zack Martin

Not that there was ever any doubt, but the Dallas Cowboys have picked up the fifth-year option on star guard Zack Martin. This will lock him up through the 2018 season.

The Cowboys drafted Martin in 2014 with the 16th overall pick. Martin will forever be linked to two names in Cowboys lore. One is Ryan Shazier, who the Cowboys reportedly coveted and were ready to pounce on until the Pittsburgh Steelers grabbed him one spot ahead of Dallas. The second, and more famously, is quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was by all accounts the apple of Jerry Jones’ eye, but cooler heads prevailed and the Cowboys selected Martin.

Martin has gone on to be a dominant guard in the league, considered to be among the best in the game right now. The Cowboys likely will work out a long-term extension for Martin sometime in the near future. The $9.341 million for 2018 will be replaced as the Cowboys structure a contract the way they have with Tyron Smith and Travis Frederick, and keep their offensive line together for years to come.

Martin has made the Pro Bowl every year and has been a first-team All-Pro twice, and a second-team All-Pro once.