NFL notebook: Buccaneers release RB Martin

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released two-time Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin, the team announced on Tuesday. Martin, 29, rushed for a career-low 406 rushing yards last season and has been limited to 827 over the last two campaigns after erupting for 1,402 in 2015. The Buccaneers will save $6.75 million on the salary cap by releasing the 29-year-old Martin, who was informed of the move by general manager Jason Licht. "Today is bittersweet. I hate to leave my teammates when there is still work to be done, but respect the organization's decision," Martin wrote on Twitter. "I am in the best shape of my life physically and mentally and my best football is ahead of me. I look forward to the next stage of my career, while wishing everyone in Tampa Bay the very best." --Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers coach Mike Groh will be promoted to offensive coordinator, ESPN reported. Head coach Doug Pederson interviewed both Groh and running backs coach Duce Staley on Monday, with the latter adding another title to his current duties. Staley, who has been with the team since 2011, was elevated to assistant head coach, according to ESPN. Pederson calls the plays for the Super Bowl champion Eagles. Groh will replace Frank Reich, who left to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. --The Chicago Bears will not exercise their option on veteran guard Josh Sitton's contract, according to multiple media outlets. Sitton, 31, was due to make $8 million for the 2018 season, NFL Media reported. He will become a free agent on March 14. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Sitton told the Chicago Tribune, "I am planning on playing and hitting free agency and continuing to play at a high level. I believe I have prime years left." --The Bears released linebacker Jerrell Freeman, multiple outlets reported. Freeman was suspended 10 games last season following a second violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. He missed four games in 2016 on the heels of the first violation, but still finished with a team-high 110 tackles. Freeman was placed on injured reserve after sustaining a torn pectoral muscle in the season opener versus the Atlanta Falcons. --A minority owner in the Pittsburgh Steelers has emerged as a potential front-runner to buy the Carolina Panthers, according to the NFL Network. David Tepper, a billionaire hedge fund manager, is considered a top contender to buy the club, a high-ranking team source told Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network. Last week, the Charlotte Observer reported that South Carolina businessman Ben Navarro is a serious bidder for the team, although Garafolo quoted another source that called Tepper the "leader in the clubhouse." --The Houston Texans released linebacker Brian Cushing, the team announced. Cushing has spent nine seasons with the Texans and leaves as the franchise leader in tackles with 664. The 31-year-old Cushing served a 10-game suspension last season for a violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy. After missing another contest, he returned to start the final four games of the season. --The Jacksonville Jaguars picked up the option on tight end Marcedes Lewis and two reserve offensive linemen, the team announced. The Jaguars' move will keep Lewis with the team for a 13th season, making him the longest tenured player on the club. Lewis will receive $3.5 million this season, according to the Florida Times-Union. The Jaguars also picked up the options on reserve offensive tackle Josh Wells and reserve offensive guard/center Tyler Shatley. Jacksonville reportedly declined to exercise contract options on tight end Mychal Rivera and wide receiver Arrelious Benn, according to First Coast News. --The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released veteran defensive tackle Chris Baker after one season, the team announced. Baker, 31, appeared in 15 games, making 14 starts, with Tampa Bay last season. He registered 33 tackles with 0.5 sacks and two passes defensed. --The Indianapolis Colts announced that they will add wide receiver Reggie Wayne to the team's Ring of Honor at Lucas Oil Stadium during the 2018 season. Wayne resides in 10th place in NFL history in both receptions (1,070) and receiving yards (14,345). --Cornerback Vontae Davis is scheduled to meet with the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter. Davis, who is the younger brother of former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, became a free agent after the Indianapolis Colts released him during the 2017 season. The 29-year-old met with the Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns last week. --The New York Jets exercised the 2018 contract options for nose tackle Steve McLendon and outside linebacker Josh Martin, multiple media outlets reported. McLendon, 32, has been a starter in each of the past five seasons for the Jets, and he started 14 of 16 games in 2017, when he recorded 46 tackles and 1.5 sacks. Martin, 26, finished the 2017 season as a starter at outside linebacker, and also contributes on special teams. He started nine of the 14 games in which he played this past season and recorded 43 tackles and 1.5 sacks. The Jets declined their 2018 option on offensive tackle Ben Ijalana, making him a free agent next month --The Philadelphia Eagles are bidding to own the rights to the phrase "Philly Special," but they are not alone. The Eagles, in fact, are the eighth entity to file for the phrase, per ESPN. Included in that congested mix is the Pennsylvania-based brewing company Yuengling, as well as others in Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey and Florida. In the eyes of the Eagles, the term "Philly Special" refers to a trick play they executed on a fourth-and-goal situation with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter of Super Bowl LII. The champion Eagles plan to use the phrase for apparel should they win the right, according to ESPN's Darren Rovell. --The New Orleans Saints re-signed long snapper Zach Wood. The one-year deal is worth $555,000, the Times-Picayune of New Orleans reported, citing a source close to the situation. --The Philadelphia Eagles signed defensive tackle Winston Craig, the team announced. Craig initially signed with the Eagles in 2017 as an undrafted free agent out of Richmond but was waived by the team during the preseason. The 6-foot-4, 290-pound Craig was signed to the team's practice squad on Dec. 8 and released on Jan. 9. --Philadelphia Eagles head athletic trainer Chris Peduzzi announced that he is resigning after 19 seasons with the team.