Buccaneers: Doug Martin has been released

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have informed running back Doug Martin he has been released.

The time has come for the Buccaneers to start making moves to better their team after a disappointing 2017 season. The first shoe to drop was the release of running back and former first round pick Doug Martin according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times;

It was moved expected by many. In fact, most Bucs fans believed the move would happen last season. Now that it has happened, the Buccaneers will be saving $6.75 million towards the cap.

This also leaves the expected hole at running back, where some of that $6.75 million they saved will then be re-assigned to a free agent back. With players like Jerrick McKinnon, Carlos Hyde, and Isaiah Crowell – among others – hitting the market, the Bucs will be in search of a new ball carrier.

Of course, the other option is focusing on addressing the need in the draft, but that doesn’t mean the Bucs can’t do both.

Martin had a putrid 2.9 yards per carry average in 2017 and outside of his rookie season and his 2015 season, he’s been a bottom of the barrel runner with an injury plagued career .

It was best to get this move out of the way early and allow Martin the full free agency process while allowing Jason Licht and Mike Greenberg to assess the cap situation and allow Licht and Dirk Koetter begin scouting their potential replacements for Martin, getting their attack plan in place.

Don’t expect the Buccaneers to be done cutting ties with players. They can free up more cap room without taking on any dead money with the release of underperforming players such as Chris Baker and J.R. Sweezy.

Next: Free Agent Spotlight - Trumaine Johnson

There’s an uphill climb for the Buccaneers to get to the level many believed them to be last season and if they don’t come through, the coaches and front office members may be looking for new employers as well.