Cowboys Rumors: Zack Martin's Contract Converted, Clears $13M in Cap Space for NFL FA

The Dallas Cowboys reportedly restructured Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin's contract on Friday.

According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Cowboys converted a portion of Martin's base salary into a signing bonus, thus clearing $13 million in salary cap space.

Per OverTheCap.com, the move put the Cowboys under the cap threshold, as they now have about $1.8 million in cap space.

Martin, 33, has arguably been the best guard in the NFL since Dallas selected him with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft out of Notre Dame.

During his 10-year NFL career, Martin is a nine-time Pro Bowler and seven-time First Team All-Pro, which puts him in the Hall of Fame conversation.

After missing only two games over his first six seasons, injuries have been a bit more of an issue in recent years, as he has missed nine games since the 2020 campaign.

Martin sat out two games in 2023, but he was a big part of an offensive line that helped quarterback Dak Prescott have the best year of his career with 4,516 passing yards and a league-leading 36 passing touchdowns.

Dallas won the NFC East with a 12-5 record, but it shockingly fell to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round of the playoffs.

The Cowboys are seemingly trying to largely run it back in 2024 since most of their key players are set to return, although the offensive line could look much different.

Left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz are both set to hit free agency and if the Cowboys lose both of them, Martin's presence at right guard will loom even larger.

Martin is entering the last year of his contract in 2024, meaning it could be his final opportunity to win a Super Bowl with the only franchise he has ever known.

Restructuring Martin's deal could help the Cowboys be at least somewhat active in free agency, but given how close they still are to the cap, they may not be able to contend for some of the biggest free agents regardless.