FRISCO – In the case of the Dallas Cowboys? It would be a swallowing of pride and an admission of failure. In the case of Zack Martin? It might represent some of the same … along with an opportunity to finally, truly, compete for a Super Bowl. Martin is an All-Pro, a future Hall of Famer and an all-time great Cowboy.

But Dallas is closing in on a truth about its 2024 ability to contend. And if in the coming days – like, Sunday at Atlanta – they can’t look in the mirror and see anything but non-contender staring back at them?

They must consider following the demands of their own “Blow It Up” plan and consider the almost unimaginable …

And trade Zack Martin. We already know Dallas has no general intention of being a buyer at the Nov. 5 deadline because the long-term plan here is about hoarding assets for a 2025 remodel, when this team could have its handful of big-money foundational stars (including Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons) along with maybe $100 million in cap room.

We also know that Martin, who has been a starter and a stud here since his rookie year of 2014 as a nine-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time All Pro, is at age 33 contemplating retirement after this season.

Lose this week and the Cowboys slip to 3-5. (They are three-point underdogs at 5-3 Atlanta, too.)

Is that enough to acknowledge the truth of our reporting on “Blow It Up.” … and to accelerate the plan?

There is a time to start moving present pieces now in order to gain future assets. But by Sunday night?

With the deadline on Tuesday, the clock will be ticking. Related: Is Jerry Jones Selling at Trade Deadline? We have no idea if Martin would be for or against such a move, but we know it would be highly emotional for all involved, all the way up to the Jones family.

Of course, last spring the Jones family said goodbye to Martin’s “twin” Tyron Smith, a fellow future HOF’er now laboring for the Jets. What could Martin net Dallas? We don’t know that, either.

But while his presence is valuable here in many ways – even on a losing team, he’s a leader and a role model and a key Prescott protector – a 2025 NFL Draft pick needs to have its value calculated, too. And we are now on the eve of that “calculation” time … even for a player as great and valued as the legendary Zack Martin.