Cowboys & G Zack Martin Ending Extension Talks Until After Season

Todd Archer of ESPN is reporting that the Cowboys and G Zack Martin are halting negotiations regarding a long-term extension until after the season.

A few weeks ago, Ian Rapoport reported that the Cowboys were “deep in talks” with Martin regarding a long-term extension that would make him the highest paid guard in the NFL.

Rapoport mentioned that the Cowboys had made “substantial offers” that would make him “at or near” the highest paid guard in the league, which would top Browns G Kevin Zeitler‘s $12 million annual salary.

However, it appears as though there is still a bridge to be gapped in contract talks and they’re comfortable waiting until next year to get back to the negotiating table.

Martin, 26, is a former first-round pick of the Cowboys back in 2014. He was entering the final year of his four-year, $8.967 million contract and stands to make a base salary of $1,642,881 for the 2017 season when Dallas picked up his fifth-year option earlier this offseason.

Martin will make around $9.341 million for the 2018 season under his fifth-year option, which is guaranteed only for injury and won’t prevent them from working on a long-term extension over the next year.

In 2016, Martin appeared in all 16 games for the Cowboys and is rated by Pro Football Focus as the No. 3 guard out of 75 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding a new deal for Martin as the news is available.