Zack Martin is threatening to hold out of Dallas Cowboys training camp. With the front office juggling multiple contract negotiations, let's rank Dallas' priorities as camp gets underway.
As the Dallas Cowboys gear up for the new season, Zack Martin is here to infuse some stakes into Jerry Jones' summer. The Pro Bowl offensive tackle is threatening to hold out of Cowboys training camp, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. He's currently making about $7 million less per season than the league's highest-paid guards.
Martin isn't the only contract conundrum plaguing the Dallas front office. While he's the only player threatening to actively hold out, the Cowboys have also sought contract extensions with CeeDee Lamb, Trevon Diggs, and Terence Steele. There's also the matter of star running back Tony Pollard, who will play out the final year of his contract on the $10.9 million franchise tag after failing to reach terms on an extension with Dallas.
The Cowboys have one goal this season: win the NFC East, then the Super Bowl.
That's a tall task; the Eagles loom large as reigning NFC champs and the division as a whole is tougher than average. The Cowboys were 12-5 last season — including 8-1 at home — and still finished two games behind Philadelphia in the standings. The Giants were 9-7 and got better over the summer. The Commanders, under new ownership, will be looking to make a splash
With the onus being to win as much as possible in the short term, Dallas should be unafraid to pay its best players. It's also important, however, to avoid bad contracts that could hamper the team's financial flexibility at the trade deadline and in future seasons. There's a fine line between being aggressive and loyal, and being foolish. Jerry Jones will have to toe that line gracefully.
The Cowboys are juggling a lot of balls right now; let's dive into a quick rundown of where exactly the front office's priorities should lie.
No. 6 Cowboys training camp priority: Terence Steele contract extension
A bankable offensive tackle who the Cowboys discovered in undrafted free agency in 2020, Terence Steele is due for a new contract. The sides are expected to work on a long-term extension, according to Mike Fisher of Sports Illustrated. The Cowboys' bread and butter is their dominant offensive line. Steele has become a crucial piece there.
No. 5 Cowboys training camp priority: Tony Pollard and the RB situation
The Cowboys elected not to extend Tony Pollard, setting the stage for a bitter breakup in 2024. Pollard's negotiations went the same way as Josh Jacobs in Oakland and Saquon Barkley in New York. With the running back market drying up across the league, there was simply no pressure on Dallas to get Pollard locked up on a pricey contract.
That said, Dallas needs to maintain the long view here. If Pollard isn't part of the future, what's the succession plan? There are cheap alternatives on the free agent market — there's still time to scoop up Dalvin Cook, potentially at a discounted price. But mainly, keep an eye on second-year back Malik Davis and rookie Deuce Vaughn. Both should get change-of-pace work behind Pollard and could increase their standing at the season progresses. That all starts with a strong training camp.
No. 4 Cowboys training camp priority: Restructuring Dak Prescott's contract
As Schefter notes, Jerry Jones has discussed restructuring Dak Prescott's contract. The Pro Bowl quarterback is set to make $42 million next season and $44 million in 2024 before his deal expires. It stands to reason that Dallas wants to extend Prescott before emotions get complicated.
While the running back market continues to dry up, the QB market continues to balloon exponentially. Prescott isn't even elite by positional standards right now — let's call him a mid-tier star — and he can probably cash in for $150-200 million on his next contract.
Prescott will be ranked much higher on this list next summer if the Cowboys still haven't resolved the issue. Such is the nature of today's NFL: even good quarterbacks take precedence over elite skill or utility players.
No. 3 Cowboys training camp priority: Trevon Diggs extension
Trevon Diggs has been arguably the Cowboys' best defender over the last two seasons. The Pro Bowl cornerback came up with three interceptions and one fumble recovery in 2022, a notable step back from his league-leading 11 picks in 2021.
Still, the Cowboys are probably comfortable paying Diggs the premium at his position. Dallas was a top-10 pass defense last season. Diggs' ability to lock all windows and doors can't be overstated. The Cowboys should have no trouble putting points on the board so long as everyone stays healthy and available — even with the valid questions about Mike McCarthy's decision-making at the helm. Dallas' ability to get stops will determine whether or not the Cowboys can legitimately compete.
No. 2 Cowboys training camp priority: CeeDee Lamb contract extension
CeeDee Lamb will make $2.5 million this season and $17.9 million next season before hitting free agency in 2025. That is, unless the Cowboys can agree to terms on an extension for the 24-year-old Oklahoma product.
Lamb has quickly emerged as one of the best players at his position. Dak Prescott is a talented QB and the Cowboys have always dominated in the trenches, but it's hard to imagine Dallas achieving the same potency without Lamb slicing defenses apart on the outside. His twitchy athleticism, blistering speed, and suction-cup hands make him a sight to behold; he's truly one of the most entertaining offensive players in the world.
Naturally, he's going to fetch a high price — one has to imagine somewhere in the range of Tyreek Hill's four-year, $120 million contract with Miami. That's a steep price for any non-QB, but the Cowboys' QB doesn't look the same without Lamb. It's that simple, and he should probably get a hefty dollar amount accordingly.
No. 1 Cowboys training camp priority: Restructuring Zack Martin's contract
Zack Martin has a credible case to be called the Cowboys' best player. An eight-time Pro Bowler and member of the Hall of Fame all-2010s team, Martin has cemented his place in Cowboys history. Of course he should get top dollar, and of course the Cowboys should be happy to supply it.
One thing that has separated Dallas from the field for virtually Martin's entire career is the offensive line. The Cowboys have cultivated multiple superstar running backs behind that O-line, and launched multiple high-level quarterbacks. Ezekiel Elliot doesn't reach his peak without the blocking presence of Martin and others in the trenches.
Since Martin is the only Cowboys mainstay actually threatening to not show up to camp, it's hard not to peg him in the No. 1 spot. Dallas needs their veteran leader and offensive beating heart. Martin has put in the work; he deserves the utmost respect and a lucrative new deal from Jerry Jones.