Longtime Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Zack Martin has announced his retirement from professional football after an impressive 11-season run. The 34-year-old informed Cowboys owner Jerry Jones of his decision on Thursday.

Martin, a cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line, started in 162 games throughout his career. His consistent performance earned him nine Pro Bowl selections and seven All-Pro honors. Remarkably, he only accrued seven holding penalties during his entire tenure, matching his All-Pro accolades.

Drafted 16th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft from Notre Dame, Martin quickly established himself as a vital part of the Cowboys' offense. He only missed the Pro Bowl twice, both times in seasons where injuries limited him to fewer than 14 games played.

Martin's Pro Bowl appearances place him among Cowboys legends, trailing only Bob Lilly (11), Larry Allen (10), Mel Renfro (10), and Jason Witten (11). Lilly, Allen, and Renfro are already enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while Witten recently became eligible.

Since Martin's arrival in the league, only Aaron Donald boasts more first-team All-Pro selections with eight. Donald is widely considered a future first-ballot Hall of Famer.

Martin briefly contemplated retirement during the 2023 preseason while negotiating a contract. He ultimately agreed to a restructured two-year deal. He had been a core component of a dominant Cowboys offensive line alongside Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith. Smith, a standout left tackle with eight Pro Bowls, joined the New York Jets last season, while Frederick retired in 2019 after a battle with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

The Cowboys drafted Smith, Martin, and Frederick in the first round of the 2011, 2014, and 2013 drafts, respectively. With all three now gone, the team faces the task of rebuilding their offensive line. Brock Hoffman, who filled in for Martin towards the end of last season, is expected to continue in that role as the Cowboys aim to return to the playoffs after a 7-10 finish.