Football
Zack Martin’s return to football remains up in the air; so does his return to the Cowboys – Calvin Watkins, Dallas Morning News
Zack Martin made it known he’s also a free agent and could play elsewhere this offseason.
It’s understandable one of the longest-tenured players on the Cowboys’ roster is still trying to figure out his playing status for 2025.
Martin, the seven-time All-Pro guard, is six weeks out from ankle surgery on a joint that cost him mobility during the 2024 season and limited him to just 10 games.
When it comes to his future, Martin said he’s not sure what he might do. He could retire. He could play for the Cowboys. He could play for somebody else.
“I think people forget I’m a free agent, too,” Martin told The Dallas Morning News from the site of Super Bowl LIX on Tuesday. “I’ll figure out if I am, where I’m playing and if I’m not, then obviously you guys will hear about that. Just trying to get healthy and make a decision down the road.”
Martin and defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence are the longest-tenured players on the current roster. Both were drafted in 2014: Martin in the first round and Lawrence in the second round.
It doesn’t seem long ago that Stephen Jones convinced his father, Jerry Jones, the Martin was a better draft selection than Johnny Manziel.
Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey open to negotiating extension with team this offseason – Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dallas might have to extend Micah Parsons and their All-Pro kicker before training camp.
For Aubrey, it seems like yesterday that he was arriving at training camp having to earn a spot on the roster for the 2023 season. A little over 16 months later, the conversation has shifted to his name among the elites around the league.
“It’s been a dream come true,” Aubrey said. “It feels like it’s gone by incredibly fast. I’m just trying to sit back and enjoy the ride. Just trying to survive week-to-week, then I look backwards and [see] I had a good year.”
One big difference for Aubrey heading into his third season will be the absence of special teams coordinator John Fassel, who departed Dallas for the same position with the Tennessee Titans. Fassel discovered Aubrey when he was playing in the USFL for the Birmingham Stallions and developed him over his first two seasons.
“He’s a good friend, a mentor,” Aubrey said. “He’s someone who discovered me and started my NFL career off right. I came into training camp battling for position, and they could’ve strung that decision out for a long time, but they made it nice and quick for me. It gave me a lot of confidence and built me up. He gave me every opportunity to succeed.”
While Fassel has been crucial in his development, Aubrey said that his kicking coach – the same one he’s had since he started kicking in 2020 – will remain the same.
“For me, it’s a separate kicking coach, and that’s the way it works best,” he said. “I’m not sure how it works outside of Dallas, I know other coaches might have more of a hands-on approach. But for me, I’ve got a coach I’ve worked with for five, six years now. He knows me as well as I know me.”
Desired continuity may keep Cooper Rush in Dallas – Jess Haynie, Blogging the Boys
The Cowboys must figure out the quarterback position behind Dak Prescott, with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance entering free agency.
Not only does Rush bring consistent competence on the field but has been praised for assisting the coaches and the starter with game preparation during the week. He’s even been projected as a future QB coach once his playing career ends. That only increases his value as a roster member, even if there are legitimate complaints about his upside when he actually plays.
No team better understands Rush’s lesser-seen qualities than the Cowboys. While Kellen Moore may try to get him over to New Orleans, assuming Moore even gets that head coaching job, Dallas should have the deepest appreciation of Rush’s value. So if that’s the case, why is there even a question of Rush getting a new contract?
With Brian Schottenheimer’s promotion and Klayton Adams’ arrival as offensive coordinator, plus a new quarterbacks coach still TBD, there are lots of new opinions and perceptions in the coaching staff. But if a degree of continuity is what the front office valued in making Schottenheimer head coach, keeping Rush could help take that further. Still, the new guys may have strong feelings about the type of backup they want.
If mobility is something they particularly desire, re-signing Trey Lance might become preferable to Rush. For that matter, Dallas might let both walk and just go with Will Grier as a cheaper backup, or bring in other guys who have worked with Schottenheimer or Adams at previous stops. The coaching staff changes create more variables for the offseason, particularly when it comes to free agency.
Dak Prescott may also have a say in this. It’s clear that he influenced the promotion of Schottenheimer, so what if he also throws his support behind Rush? They’ve worked together for the better part of a decade, with Rush being the primary backup for at least six full seasons. With a new OC and position coach coming, Prescott may want a guy he trusts to help him digest the changes.
Cowboys blockbuster trade proposal would land $80 million All-Pro in Dallas – Aaliyan Mohammed, Sporting News
Does Jerry Jones view Cooper Kupp as an “all-in” addition to the roster for 2025?
Los Angeles Rams star receiver Cooper Kupp revealed on X that the Rams are seeking a trade for him. Kupp is a former Super Bowl MVP and is one of the most talented players in the league. Blacher Report’s Gary Davenport proposed this trade that would bring Kupp to the Cowboys:
Cowboys receive: wide receiver Cooper Kupp
Rams receive: 2025 third-round pick and conditional 2026 pick
“If Dallas is going to challenge the NFC champion Eagles and rising Commanders in the NFC East, the team has to plug that hole opposite Lamb at wide receiver,” wrote Davenport. “But with the Cowboys upside-down against the salary cap, making improvements won’t be easy. Not easy doesn’t mean impossible, though. Kupp doesn’t have any money guaranteed on his deal for 2026, so getting him to restructure probably won’t be that difficult. That gets Dallas some short-term relief.”
Kupp was an All-Pro in 2021 when he won the Triple Crown. He signed a three-year, $80 million extension in 2022 and will be a free agent in 2027. His biggest issue has been injuries. He has missed 18 games in the last three seasons but was on pace to break 1,000 yards in all three seasons. When healthy, he is one of the most talented players in the league.
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