After coming off disappointing back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014, where he only had 950 combined rushing yards, Doug Martin needed to have a bounce back year in 2015 with free agency knocking on the door.

Martin did just that as he reestablished him as one of the better, younger running backs in the NFL capturing the magic he had as a rookie in 2012. This season, Martin helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense and rookie quarterback Jameis Winston to a 6-10 record, improving from last year’s abysmal 2-14 record.

He also helped the Bucs’ rushing offense as they were ranked fifth in the NFL with 134.9 rushing yards per game. This season, Martin finished with 1,402 rushing yards on 288 carries and six touchdowns. His 1,402 rushing yards put him only 83 yards behind the NFL’s rushing champion in Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Martin’s bounce back season also got him named to the Pro-Bowl and First-Team All Pro, which helps his case in getting a huge payday in free agency. Over the course of the Bucs’ 16-game schedule, Martin did not have many games, where he rushed for 100 yards or more as he ran behind an offensive line that was starting two rookie offensive linemen. 

But he did have three games in a row, where he proved that he could still be a factor rushing for 100 plus yards or more. Beginning in Week 4 against the stout Carolina Panthers defense, Martin rushed for 106 yards on 20 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Then the following week against in-state rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars, he rushed for 123 yards on 24 carries, averaging 5.1 yards per game. Finally, in Tampa Bay’s week seven matchup against a Washington Redskins rushing defense, who was ranked 26th in the NFL, giving up 122.6 yards per game on the ground. Martin gashed Washington’s defense for 136 yards, while averaging 7.16 yards per carry.

Martin’s best game of the season did not happen until Week 11 against the Philadelphia Eagles on the road. We all remember that game as Jameis Winston torched the Eagles’ defense for four passing touchdowns leading the Bucs to a 45-17 victory, but Martin had a huge game as well. Against the Eagles’ defense, he had 235 rushing yards on 27 carries, bringing back memories of his rookie season. 

Let’s go back to 2012 where Martin had 1,454 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. As a rookie, the Buccaneers went 7-9 and their rushing offense was ranked 15th in NFL with 114.8 yards per game. Unlike this season, Martin had four games of 100 plus rushing yards in his rookie year. He rushed for 135, 138, 128 and 142 against the Vikings, Panthers, Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. But just like this season, his best game as a rookie came against the Oakland Raiders, where he rushed for a career-high 251 yards on 25 carries, averaging 10 yards per carry and four touchdowns. That season, the Raiders’ defense gave up 118.6 yards per game.

From that game on, Martin was given the nickname ‘muscle hamster’ because of his physical running style. But coming into this season, he did not want to be known by that. Martin did a great job of changing people’s opinion of him as he was fantastic in the red zone this season, with six rushing touchdowns. 

Then, when it came to first and 10’s this season, Martin had 833 rushing yards on 5.3 yards per carry. Finally, when the Bucs’ offense had to go 10 yards or more, Martin was very effective as he had 1,028 rushing yards on 191 carries. 

But what does the future hold for Martin, who will be a pending free agent in the next few weeks. Will he return to Tampa Bay? That is hard to tell as of right now, as according to the Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud, the Bucs and Martin aren’t close to reaching an agreement. If you look at the past two NFL rushing champions in running backs DeMarco Murray and LeSean McCoy, both ended up on different teams last offseason.

Murray ended up with the Eagles after signing a five-year, $40 million contract in free agency after rushing for 1,845 yards in 2014 with the Dallas Cowboys. This season with the Eagles, Murray had a down year only rushing for 702 yards. As for McCoy, who was the rushing champion in 2013, he had 1,607 yards that season. He followed that up in 2014, finishing with 1,319 yards.

If you remember McCoy was traded to the Buffalo Bills and then received a brand new contract extension worth $40 million over five years. With that being said, Martin should command annual salary of $8 million per year to start on the free agent market. But the question is will the Bucs pay to keep Martin or go in a different direction?

For Martin to continue to be successful, he needs to stay with the Bucs and Tampa needs him. Currently, at 27 years old, Martin has at least 3-5 good years remaining so why not spend them in Tampa? The Bucs have a new coach in Dirk Koetter, a great young signal caller in Winston and great weapons at the wide receiver position. If Tampa can keep Martin and the rest of the offensive talent together, there is no reason they cannot contend for a playoff spot in 2016.