Jon Gruden reportedly spurned the Buccaneers to return to the Raiders, and now it looks like he’s trying to take Tampa Bay’s running back with him. Gruden had a face-to-face meeting with two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin recently, and is expected make a strong push to acquire the free agent, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Sources: #Raiders coach Jon Gruden recently arranged for a face-to-face meeting with former #Bucs RB Doug Martin and came away impressed with him as a person. Oakland expected to make a strong push for Martin in free agency.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 9, 2018
Martin, 29, is an Oakland native who was released after six seasons with Tampa Bay last month. Martin rushed for less than 425 yards each of the last two seasons (averaging a paltry 2.9 yards per carry), after rushing for 1,402 in 2015. Martin also rushed for less than 500 yards in 2013-2014, after rushing for 1,454 in his rookie season. Martin was also suspended four games late in 2016 for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drugs policy.
At the moment it is assumed that Marshawn Lynch will begin the year as the Raiders starting running back. Lynch is currently under contract for next season, but can be released without a cap hit if Oakland desires to move on. Lynch is owed a base salary of $4 million if he is retained in 2018.