In May, the Buccaneers opted not to pick up the fifth-year option on running back Doug Martin’s rookie contract. Now that it’s January and the fourth season of Martin’s deal is ending on Sunday, the Buccaneers want to find a way to keep Martin around.
Via Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune, Buccaneers G.M. Jason Licht and Martin separately acknowledged that negotiations have commenced.
“We’ve already talked a little bit,’’ Licht said. “We will definitely be talking [more]. We’d love to have Doug back.’’
Martin, who has bristled in the past at talk of his impressive contract-year performance, feels the same way.
“I love it here and I have a beautiful home here,’’ Martin said. “I’d love to come back. But right now I’m focused on our last game. I’m aware they’re talking, but I’ll let them handle that for now.’’
Martin needs to outgain Vikings running back Adrian Peterson by 65 yards to win the NFL rushing title. It remains to be seen whether Martin’s solid season results in a major financial reward; teams could be skittish about offering him huge money after the dramatic drop in performance this year from running back DeMarco Murray, who parlayed the 2014 rushing title in Dallas into a five-year, $40 million contract in Philadelphia.
The Buccaneers have two options for keeping Martin around -- signing him to a long-term deal or applying the franchise tag, which will be more than $11 million for 2016. Because the Buccaneers could have secured Martin’s services next season for only $5.6 million under the fifth-year option, giving up twice that amount to do the same thing would be a surprise.