Why Would Licht Let Martin Leave?

Jason Licht has built a reputation for being the smartest man in the room and has proven that with his great drafts and also by surviving the Glazers first firings. So why would he let Martin get out of Tampa? Licht may be taking a page from his old team the Patriots, by letting a player go for the better of the team. The Patriots have let many "A" list players go that have gone away to other teams. A few to name are Wes Welker, Richard Seymour, Mike Vrabel, Asante Samuel and the list only continues. These are players that still were good yet would crush the teams overall ability to be fully complete due to contract issues. Licht is no dummy and is a true GM in that he plans ahead evident by this quote via Joe Kania.

Licht says the Bucs will talk to Mankins soon. Says building takes 3 years. Won't impact the team's current plans if he retires.

— Joe Kania (@BucsDotCom) February 24, 2016

With that said Licht is looking 3 years ahead. Was the pick of Charles Sims 2 years ago already a plan towards the future? Most likely so, as in todays NFL there are usually 2 back committees instead of one work horse. Martin although a good player is not the caliber of an Adrian Peterson and doesn't deserve the same cap number at all. If he wants anything more than 7 million the Bucs would most likely look elsewhere.

Looking forward to the 2017 draft, the running back position is littered with high profile talents like Leonard Fournette, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb and Christian McCaffery, all of whom should be considered 1st round selections but will fall due to how much the running back position has been devalued. Any of which would be a great addition if Martin did end up leaving. Jameis has gone on record as to say how much he values Martin but also how much he likes another running back. Via 620 WDAE

Jameis Winston says Doug Martin is the best running back I've ever seen..........except Davonte Freeman and Dalvin Cook. #Bucs #FSU

— **620 WDAE** (@620wdae) December 30, 2015

Licht has the best interest of the Bucs first and wont jeopardize the future of the franchise for one player. You better believe he has planned and thought a lot of this through and is waiting for his plan to play out. Up to Martin to see if he truly wants to be a Buc or play for the money.