Despite the Dallas Cowboys’ 30-year absence from an NFC Championship game and their elusive quest for a Lombardi Trophy, the franchise has consistently produced individual brilliance. ESPN’s advanced stats experts Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder recently unveiled their All-Quarter Century roster, highlighting the NFL’s finest since 2000. Three players with deep ties to Dallas—wide receiver Terrell Owens, right guard Zack Martin, and edge rusher DeMarcus Ware—earned spots on this elite team, showcasing the Cowboys’ legacy of star power.
Terrell Owens: The $34 Million Firebrand
Teams: San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), Dallas Cowboys (2006-08), Buffalo Bills (2009), Cincinnati Bengals (2010)
Résumé since 2000: 12,627 receiving yards, 123 receiving TDs, five-time All-Pro
Terrell Owens, a polarizing yet undeniable talent, left an indelible mark during his three-year, $34 million stint with the Cowboys. Signed in 2006 at age 33, his $11.6 million average salary consumed 11.3% of the cap—equivalent to $31.6 million in 2025 terms. Under coaches Bill Parcells and Wade Phillips, and catching passes from Tony Romo, Owens amassed 235 receptions, 3,587 yards, and 38 touchdowns. Dallas went 31-23 during his tenure, reaching the playoffs in 2006 and 2007.
Owens’ 11 seasons since 2000 included three second-place finishes in DYAR and a knack for leading the league in receiving touchdowns (three times). His 80.3 receiving yards per game rank sixth among wide receivers with at least 50 games played in that span. His grit shone brightest in Super Bowl XXXIX, where he racked up 122 yards just seven weeks after a broken leg. Infamous for his driveway press conference and bold personality, Owens’ time in Dallas reportedly contributed to Parcells’ departure, with the coach cryptically dubbing him “The Player.”
Zack Martin: The Unbreakable Anchor
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (2014-24)
Résumé since 2000: 162 starts, nine-time All-Pro
Zack Martin, a lifelong Cowboy, retired this offseason after an 11-year career that redefined excellence at right guard. Boasting seven first-team All-Pro selections—the most of any guard since 2000—Martin was a model of consistency. Former teammate Tony Romo once praised him as flawless, citing elite footwork, strength, athleticism, and football IQ. Martin earned All-Pro honors every season he played more than 11 games, cementing his status as one of the NFL’s premier linemen.
DeMarcus Ware: The Sack Machine
Teams: Dallas Cowboys (2005-13), Denver Broncos (2014-16)
Résumé since 2000: 138.5 sacks, 35 forced fumbles, one-time Super Bowl champion, seven-time All-Pro
DeMarcus Ware’s blend of longevity and dominance made him a standout edge rusher. With 138.5 sacks (third-most since 2000) and 0.78 sacks per game (fourth among edge rushers), Ware balanced career totals with peak performance. His nine seasons with Dallas saw him record 116 sacks, earning all seven of his All-Pro nods as a Cowboy. After leaving Dallas, Ware captured a Super Bowl ring in Denver, but his Cowboys tenure alone would’ve secured his place on this roster.
A Legacy of Stars, Awaiting a Title
The Cowboys’ trio of Owens, Martin, and Ware underscores the franchise’s ability to cultivate and attract legendary talent. While Terrell Owens brought fireworks, Zack Martin provided stability, and DeMarcus Ware delivered relentless pressure, their individual brilliance hasn’t yet translated to team glory. As Dallas navigates the 2025 season, fans can only hope this storied roster sparks a long-overdue championship run.