One of the NFL offseason’s long-expected moves is now official. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have released running back Doug Martin, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
General manager Jason Licht appeared to foreshadow the move earlier in mid-January, saying Martin “just wasn’t ever the same” following his suspension.
Between that and the running back’s expensive contract, the release seemed inevitable. The Bucs will save all $6.75 million on Martin’s deal for 2018, according to Spotrac.
Martin earned that raise after running for 1,402 yards and six touchdowns in 2015. He also caught 33 passes for 271 yards. However, that was the most recent season the Boise State product was actually productive.
Over the last two years, Martin managed just 827 yards on 282 carries — a horrid average of 2.93 yards per carry. The 29-year-old probably isn’t done yet, but he likely won’t be a starter immediately at his next location.