During his introductory press conference, New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore made it clear that he has no plan to go through a rebuild with the team; he believes they’re ready to compete as soon as next year. To do that, the Saints, coming off a 5-12 season, would need a big offseason. New Orleans would have to make all the right moves in free agency and the draft to quickly build itself into a contender.
Fortunately, Moore has been around the league as a player and a coach. That means he has connections to several good players, and could possibly recruit them to join the Saints this offseason. One of those players is Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin, who Moore played with and coached.
Martin, a nine-time All-Pro and Pro Bowl guard, was set to be a free agent this offseason. However, instead of testing the waters of free agency, the future Hall of Famer has decided to call it a career.
Seven-time All-Pro guard Zack Martin has informed the #Cowboys that he plans to retire, sources tell The Insiders.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 20, 2025
One of the greatest linemen of his era and a probable Pro Football Hall of Famer, Martin walks away at age 34. pic.twitter.com/M4RqV7VoB8
Zack Martin’s retirement will affect the free agency market for the Saints
While Martin rides off into the sunset, the Saints will continue their pursuit to find quality guards. Not only does Martin take himself out of the equation as an option, his retirement could cause a ripple effect, because more teams will be competing to land the remaining available interior offensive linemen.
The interior offensive line emerged as an issue for the Saints in 2024, after multiple players sustained injuries. Going into next season, New Orleans probably feels good about having a healthy Erik McCoy at center and Cesar Ruiz at right guard, as well as the team’s two young guys, Taliese Fuaga and Trevor Penning, at the tackle spots. The left guard position, however, remains a question mark.
It’s clear Zack Martin won’t be the answer to that question, so Kellen Moore will have to think about any other great linemen he played with or coached. Coming off a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, Moore understands the importance of having an elite offensive line, so he will definitely try to build one with the Saints.