The Dallas Cowboys star Zack Martin never took digs at his team despite being on bad terms with them due to his ongoing contract issues. He was eyeing to have a discussion with Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones about the issue. Jones even said in Dallas-Fort Worth that the eight-time Pro Bowler is in their plans, but no positive development seems to have come from the whole debacle.
The Cowboys signal-Caller Dak Prescott also urged his team to address Martin’s issue saying, “Pay the man” on Thursday, but instead, the right guard was fined by Dallas following his holdout for a new deal. Amid the ongoing tension, safety Malik Hooker managed to land a three-year contract extension from the Cowboys.
Cowboys Zack Martin fined $50,000 daily for unexcused absences
Martin did not take part in practice during the Cowboys’ organized team activities in May and June, pointing to a soft tissue injury as the reason for his absence. The 32-year-old also missed the first 10 days of training camp due to Dallas’ “lack of interest” in redoing his contract. Now, he has been fined $50,000 per day for not appearing in the camp and the number reached up to $500,000 for missing 10 days.
Report: #Cowboys All-Pro OG Zack Martin has been fined over $500,000 during his holdout away from the team's Training Camp, via @calvinwatkins
Martin, 32, is being fined $50,000 per day for his unexcused absences from the team while he seeks a new contract.
There have been no… pic.twitter.com/4P5BE7NLYL
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) August 4, 2023
The six-time first-team All-Pro has two years remaining on the six-year, $84 million deal he inked in 2018 and he is expected to make $13.5 million in 2023. However, following the Atlanta Falcons Chris Lindstrom’s five-year, $105.2 million extension, the guard market’s landscape seems to have got a major upturn. Hence, Zack was visibly upset with his contract and he doesn’t have any guaranteed money left on his current deal as well.
Cowboys sign Malik Hooker to three-year, $ 24 million contract
The Cowboys and Hooker have agreed to a three-year extension worth up to $24 million along with $16.5 million guaranteed money and an $8 million signing bonus, per reports from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The new deal should keep the six-year NFL veteran in Dallas for the next four years.
Breaking 🚨🚨🚨: Cowboys safety Malik Hooker signs 3 year $24 million dollar extension with the #DallasCowboys pic.twitter.com/CjOUbiq3ex
— SSN – Dallas Cowboys (@SSN_Cowboys) August 4, 2023
The former Ohio State star signed with the Cowboys back in 2021 as a free agent and again signed another two-year deal with them before the 2022 season. He recorded 106 tackles, four interceptions along with a fumble recovery touchdown throughout 31 games with the franchise. Malik’s new deal is set to give him a base salary of $3 million as well as a cap hit of over $4.32 million.
Besides Hooker, Dallas cornerback Trevon Diggs also inked an extension with the franchise recently. Now, it remains to be seen if the Cowboys have anything in store for their long-time veteran Martin ahead of a new season.
