Buccaneers release Doug Martin, who ran out of chances in Tampa

Running back Doug Martin had multiple second chances with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, especially after a breakout 2015 season. However, he was a disaster the past two years, and after getting benched down the stretch of 2017, he exhausted his team’s patience for good. The Bucs announced the release of Martin on Tuesday freeing up $6.75 million in salary cap space.

Martin released a statement Tuesday following his release:

At the end of 2016, Martin got hit with a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, which led to his entire 2017 guaranteed salary being voided. He returned from suspension in Week 5, but was brutally ineffective on the ground. With just 406 yards and three touchdowns on 2.9 yards per carry, Martin was one of the worst starting running backs in football. By December, head coach Dirk Koetter saw enough and benched him for Peyton Barber.

The Bucs selected Martin in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft. He enjoyed a strong rookie year with 1,454 rushing yards and 12 total touchdowns, and the Bucs seemingly had a rising star on their hands. The next two seasons were less successful — Martin played just 17 games between 2013-14 while battling various injuries.

In 2015, Martin looked to be back on track. He stayed healthy for once, playing all 16 games while putting up 1,402 yards and seven touchdowns. After the season, the Bucs gave him a huge vote of confidence with a five-year, $37.5 million extension containing $15 million in guaranteed money.

It was all downhill from there. Martin sat out most of the 2016 season with a hamstring injury, and when he was healthy he barely produced. In eight games, Martin had just 421 yards on 144 carries, averaging a dismal 2.9 yards per attempt. He was inactive for the final two games of the season as news of his suspension came to light.

Martin went to rehab in the offseason and the Bucs gave him one last chance to be the starter, but he flopped in 2017, and that was that. Tampa will be starting over at RB as it tries to rebound from a disappointing 5-11 season.

Martin is now hitting free agency for the first time in his career, but he’s 29 years old and far removed from his best days. One of his former Bucs teammates is optimistic about Martin’s future:

But it would be surprising if he found a new team right away.