Zack Martin is the best guard in football however is not paid prefer it. That dichotomy might result in a standoff between the All-Professional guard and the Dallas Cowboys.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reviews that Martin “is contemplating not reporting to coaching camp” as a result of he believes he’s “woefully underpaid relative to the market.”
He is not flawed.
The information got here moments after Martin was named a member of the 99 Membership in “Madden NFL 24.”
ESPN not too long ago ranked Martin because the No. 1 inside offensive lineman within the NFL. Pro Football Focus gave him the bottom grade of his profession final season however nonetheless credited him with zero sacks allowed in 593 alternatives.
Even with a mountain of knowledge to recommend Martin needs to be the league’s highest-paid guard, his wage sits properly under market worth. His contract’s common annual worth (AAV) ($14M) ranks seventh among guards.
Since signing his six-year, $84M contract in 2018, guards Quenton Nelson and Chris Lindstrom reset the market the previous two seasons. Nelson signed a four-year, $80M contract ($20M AAV) in 2022 and Lindstrom agreed to a five-year, $105M contract ($21M AAV) this offseason.
The Cowboys lucked out by signing Martin to a long-term deal earlier than the market ballooned however they’re seemingly out of excellent fortune.
Schefter additionally notes Dallas is trying to barter extensions with different stars together with wideout CeeDee Lamb and nook Trevon Diggs. On the identical time, proprietor Jerry Jones has additionally mentioned a Dak Prescott restructure.
The Cowboys have loads of fires to place out earlier than coaching camp even begins. They’ve the sixth-best odds of successful the Tremendous Bowl (+1600) and if Philadelphia and San Francisco stumble, Dallas needs to be subsequent in line to take the NFC. However first, the Cowboys should show they will get out of their very own means.
