The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released veteran running back Doug Martin after six seasons with the team, according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. By cutting Martin, the Bucs will save $6.75 million on their salary cap for next season, and due to the structure of Martin’s contract, will incur no dead money.
Martin, 29, was drafted in the first round (31st overall) by the Bucs in 2012. He went to the Pro Bowl twice in his six seasons with the team – during his rookie year and again in 2015. He had a terrific rookie campaign as he exploded for 1,454 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, which were both in the top five in the league that year. He then finished second in the league behind Adrian Peterson with 1,402 rushing yards in 2015 to go along with six touchdowns.
However, Martin failed to reach even 500 rushing yards in any of his other four seasons in Tampa. He played just 11 games or fewer in those four years. Late in the 2016 season, Martin was suspended for four games for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Martin served three games of his suspension at the start of the 2017 season and didn’t have a great campaign upon his return. He rushed for a career-low 406 yards on 138 carries, while his 2.9 yards per attempt tied his career-worst mark from last season. He was benched for the last three games of the season and was a healthy scratch for the team's Monday Night Football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 after violating a team rule.
With Martin gone, the Bucs could potentially be in the market for a new featured running back either in the draft or free agency this offseason. Peyton Barber was the team’s leading rushing last season with 423 rushing yards on 3.9 yards per carry. He was finally given the chance to play later in the year, and he racked up 335 rushing yards in the team’s last five games.
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