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Potential Texans FA target retires after Hall of Fame career with Cowboys

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Zack Martin was expected to be a name the Houston Texans could monitor in free agency this offseason.

Instead, the All-Pro offensive lineman is hanging up the cleats in Arlington for good.

Martin, one of the most decorated linemen in league history, will retire after 11 NFL seasons as a member of the Dallas Cowboys. The 34-year-old let owner and general manager Jerry Jones know of his decision on Thursday afternoon.

A 2014 first-round pick out of Notre Dame, Martin was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection during his time with the other Texas franchise. He was a first-team All-Pro pick seven times, which is tied with Hall of Famers Randall McDaniel and John Hannah for the most among guards in NFL history.

According to ESPN, the only player with more first-team All-Pro selections since Martin’s rookie season is former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald with eight. Both are expected to be Hall of Fame candidates when up for eligibility in five seasons.

Part of the reason Houston was expected to have interest in Martin was due to his durability. In 11 seasons, he started 162 games, missing more than one game in a season just twice: 2020 and 2024.

In addition, Martin was named to the NFL’s All-Decade team as part of the 2010 roster. Last season he was limited to 10 games because of an ankle injury that later required surgery.

While Martin is off the table, the Texans still must target at least one new offensive lineman in free agency. Other names who could be in play include Kansas City’s Trey Smith, Chicago’s Teven Jenkins, Pittsburgh’s James Daniels and Atlanta’s Drew Dalman.