For the last decade, Dexter Lawrence and the rest of the New York Giants’ defensive line had one of the toughest assignments in football twice a year—lining up against Zack Martin. The Dallas Cowboys' legendary right guard was a nightmare matchup, consistently stonewalling pass rushers and paving lanes in the run game like a human bulldozer. But now, that challenge is gone.
Martin has officially called it a career after 11 seasons in Dallas, according toNFL insider Tom Pelissero. The seven-time First-Team All-Pro informed the Cowboys that he’s retiring at the age of 34, walking away as one of the greatest offensive linemen in NFL history. For Dallas, it’s the end of an era. For the Giants? Well, let’s just say there won’t be many tears shed in East Rutherford.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34. pic.twitter.com/M4RqV7VoB8
Lawrence has been one of the most dominant interior defensive linemen in football, finishing with the third-most sacks at his position last season, even after missing five games. In 12 games against the Cowboys, Lawrence has yet to register a sack. Coincidence? We think not.
Without the future Hall of Famer holding down the right side of Dallas’ line, maybe that can change.
Zack Martin retiring is great news for the Giants
Martin’s resume is as good as it gets. Over 11 seasons, he started all 162 games he played, made nine Pro Bowls, and earned seven First-Team All-Pro selections—tying Randall McDaniel and John Hannah for the most by a guard in NFL history.
From the second he stepped onto an NFL field, Martin was an elite talent. The Cowboys drafted him 16th overall in 2014 (famously passing on Johnny Manziel), and he instantly became one of the best linemen in the league. His dominance in both pass protection and run blocking helped Dallas’ offensive line become annoyingly good.
The only thing missing from his career? A Super Bowl ring. While Martin was part of multiple playoff teams, the Cowboys never made it past the Divisional Round during his tenure. That’s not on him, though—Dallas’ offensive line was never the problem.
With Martin gone, the Cowboys’ offensive line just took a massive hit, and they are vulnerable. For a Giants defense looking to get more pressure in the interior, that’s a game-changer.
Lawrence has established himself as one of the most disruptive defensive tackles in football, earning top-three grades at the position for three straight seasons, according to Pro Football Focus. Last year, he was the only interior lineman to post 80+ grades as both a pass rusher and run defender, finishing with nine sacks—the third-most among defensive tackles.
For years, the Cowboys had the luxury of knowing that right guard was locked down with one of the best to ever do it. That security blanket is now gone, and you can bet Lawrence and Co. will be ready to take full advantage when these teams meet in 2025.