Zack Martin texts Cowboys OL amid contract holdout: 'I'll be there soon'

The Dallas Cowboys offensive line is missing a key veteran as right guard Zack Martin continues holding out of training camp amid a contract despite. Although he’s not in Oxnard now, Martin sent a message to the OL unit that indicated he is hopeful the holdout could end any day now.

“He texted us,” second-year lineman Tyler Smith shared on Thursday. “We’re still in full support of him. He was just like, ‘Set the tone. I’ll be there soon.’”

For missing three days of camp, Martin has already been subjected to $150,000 worth of fines, $50,000 per day. He can make that all back very quickly if Dallas acquiesces to his request.

Martin last signed a deal in 2018 for six years and $84 million. Although he has arguably been the best guard in the league over the last few years, he isn’t currently paid as such.

The top-paid guard going into the 2023 season is Chris Lindstrom with the Falcons. He signed a five-year deal in March for $102.5 million. The Cowboys star is making roughly $6.5 million less per season than Lindstrom.

The man Martin is paid to protect, quarterback Dak Prescott, had a very simple answer to the ongoing contract dispute: “Pay the man.“

Cowboys continue on without Martin

Despite the inconvenience it poses for the cohesion of the offense, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters on Wednesday that he understands Martin’s need to make whatever move is best for him business-wise.

“My father always told me, and I think it’s true, you never talk about another man’s money, and most importantly, never talk about your own,” McCarthy said, via Jon Machota. “It’s business, and Zack needs to focus on that. We all respect that. We don’t feel any differently about him. He’s always going to be a leader of our football team. But this is a business situation.”

Though McCarthy neglected to share the name of the man stepping into right guard for Martin, he did note that the OL would start training camp the way it finished offseason activities.

With former All-Pro Tyron Smith fully healthy, Tyler Smith has moved to left guard, taking the place of Connor McGovern who departed for the Texans in free agency. Almost fully healthy, Terence Steele is back at right tackle with Tyler Biadasz at center.

Reporters confirmed at practice that former Marshall tackle Josh Ball is stepping up at right guard. Ball was a fourth-round pick for Dallas in 2021.

New Cowboys lineman Chuma Edoga is fresh off of one season with the Atlanta Falcons. He’s also capable of playing tackle and guard for the Cowboys, opening up even more options for the oft-injured position group.

Another option is Matt Farniok, who is currently a backup for center Biadasz.