Tyler Smith doesn’t need a reminder of what Zack Martin meant to the Dallas Cowboys. He’s lived it. He’s studied it. And now, he’s tasked with helping to fill the void left by one of the most dominant offensive linemen of his generation. Martin’s retirement isn’t just the end of an era—it’s a call to arms for the next generation of linemen, and Smith, still just 23 years old, is stepping into that leadership spotlight with his trademark blend of quiet confidence and relentless work ethic.
The Cowboys didn’t just lose a future Hall of Famer in Martin; they lost their tone-setter. The guy who never flinched. The anchor who brought stability no matter who lined up next to him. In a league where offensive lines are asked to hold the fort against ever-faster, ever-stronger defensive fronts, Martin was the gold standard—a seven-time All-Pro, a walking textbook on leverage, balance, and poise. Now that he’s gone, all eyes shift to Smith, the ascending left tackle who’s shown flashes of dominance but knows there’s still more to prove.
Smith isn’t backing down from the moment. If anything, Martin’s retirement has only sharpened his focus. “Zack was the blueprint,” Smith said earlier this week. “You couldn’t ask for a better example of what it means to be a professional, on and off the field. Watching him every day, you pick up things—the way he studies film, how he practices, how he carries himself in meetings. That stuff rubs off. It has to, or you won’t last in this league.”
Drafted 24th overall out of Tulsa in 2022, Smith was seen as a bit of a project—raw but gifted, powerful but in need of polish. In two seasons, he’s more than silenced those doubters. He’s emerged as a cornerstone of the offensive line, showcasing elite athleticism, violent hands, and an ever-growing grasp of the mental demands of the position. But even as his individual star rises, Smith knows that replacing Martin isn’t about one guy stepping up. It’s about the entire line elevating as a unit.
“There’s no replacing Zack,” Smith said. “That’s just facts. But what we can do is make sure we’re on point with our communication, our preparation, our chemistry. It’s five guys moving as one. That’s what Zack always preached, and that’s what we’re trying to live up to now.”
Dallas enters the 2025 season with plenty of questions—and not just about the offensive line. With head coach Mike McCarthy under mounting pressure and quarterback Dak Prescott facing a pivotal year, the margin for error is slim. The offense, so often the backbone of the team, has sputtered in recent playoff appearances. And now, with one of its foundational pieces walking away, the urgency to gel upfront is at an all-time high.
For Smith, the challenge is personal. He’s not just trying to follow in Martin’s footsteps; he’s trying to help lead a transition. That means being more vocal in the huddle, setting the tone in the locker room, and holding teammates accountable in film sessions and walkthroughs. It also means taking on more responsibility with younger linemen—players like Asim Richards and T.J. Bass—who are being thrust into larger roles as the Cowboys navigate their post-Martin identity.
“Tyler’s grown up fast,” said offensive line coach Mike Solari. “From Day One, we knew he had the tools. But what’s impressed me the most is how he’s embraced the mental side. He wants to be great, and he’s not afraid to put in the work. Now he’s stepping into that leadership role, and the guys respect him because they see the effort every day.”
Martin’s departure has also forced a re-evaluation of the Cowboys’ offensive strategy. With a line that once boasted three perennial Pro Bowlers, Dallas could afford to impose its will in the trenches. But those days are fading. Now it’s about adaptability—mixing zone and gap schemes, utilizing motion to create leverage, and finding ways to keep Prescott upright against complex blitz packages. For Smith, that means not only winning his one-on-one matchups but also being a student of the game—understanding fronts, tendencies, and alignments before the snap.
“There’s a mental edge to this position that people don’t always see,” Smith said. “It’s not just about being stronger or faster. It’s about anticipation. It’s about knowing when that linebacker’s coming or how that end likes to set up his inside move. Zack was a master at that, and that’s something I’m still working toward every day.”
The Cowboys’ offensive line has long been a point of pride in Dallas. From the days of Larry Allen and Erik Williams to the more recent dominance of Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, and Martin, the unit has set the standard for toughness and consistency. Tyler Smith understands that legacy—and the pressure that comes with it. He welcomes it. It’s why he spends extra hours in the film room, why he studies not just his opponents but his own technique with ruthless detail, and why he’s become one of the team’s most trusted voices despite his youth.
“Pressure’s a privilege,” he said with a shrug. “That’s something Coach McCarthy says all the time. If people expect a lot from you, it means you’ve done something right. Now it’s on me—and all of us—to deliver.”
The path forward won’t be easy. The NFC East remains one of the most physical divisions in football, with the Eagles, Commanders, and Giants all boasting ferocious defensive fronts. Every game is a street fight, and every snap is a test of resolve. But if Smith is feeling the weight of expectation, he’s not showing it. He carries himself with the quiet determination of a player who knows his best football is still ahead—and that the greatest tribute he can pay to Martin’s legacy is to lead by example.
“I want to be that guy that other linemen can count on,” Smith said. “Not just on Sundays, but every day. In the locker room. In the meeting room. In the offseason. Zack showed us what that looks like. Now it’s my turn.”
For a franchise desperate to end its Super Bowl drought, the margins are razor-thin. Championships are won and lost in the trenches, and the Cowboys know that the key to unlocking their offensive potential starts up front. Tyler Smith is ready. He’s been preparing for this moment since the day he entered the league. And now, with a new chapter unfolding in Dallas, he’s ready to take the torch.
The road ahead may be uncertain, but one thing is clear: the Cowboys’ offensive line will go as far as Tyler Smith leads them. And in a post-Martin world, that leadership has never mattered more.
