The "Dougernaut" is staying put.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that they have re-signed running back Doug Martin to a five-year deal. The move keeps Martin with the team that selected him with the 31st overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft.
The numbers are impressive. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Martin's deal covers five years and is worth $35.75 million. In addition, $15 million is guaranteed and it covers an average of $7.25 million over the first three years. The max value of the deal is $42.5 million, Rapoport added.
It completes a major career comeback for Martin, 26, who was basically an afterthought last summer after two consecutive down years in Tampa.
But Martin was reinvigorated in 2015, turning in perhaps the best season by any running back. Martin rushed for 1,402 yards -- second only to Adrian Peterson -- and averaged a stout 4.9 yards per carry. It was a night-and-day performance from Martin, who had slumped to an average of fewer than 3.7 yards per carry in the 2013 and 2014 seasons following his breakout rookie campaign.
Martin and Charles Sims should continue to be one of the best 1-2 backfield punches in football, making this a big win for Tampa -- regardless of Martin's steep price tag.
