Retaining Martin this coming offseason has been labeled a "priority" by Bucs head coach Lovie Smith, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Retaining Martin this coming offseason has been labeled a "priority" by Bucs head coach Lovie Smith, Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Analysis:

The comments unsurpisingly come on the heels of Martin's breakout 235-yard performance versus the Eagles, his second-highest rushing total of an up-and-down four-year career. However, it truly has been a resurgent year for the Bucs' starting tailback, even beyond the spectacular Week 11 effort. This season, Martin has looked much more like the rookie back that took the NFL by storm in 2012 than the pedestrian runner that barely amassed more yards (952) in 17 games over the next two campaigns than he's already totaled in 10 contests this year (941). The fourth-year pro is now also averaging the highest yards per carry of his career (5.0), and has secured 21 of 24 targets in the passing game. His reception totals are the second-best over his first four years, as is his yards-per-catch average (9.0). Martin appears to have accomplished the unlikely feat of altering the team's perception of him to the point that they appear willing to consider a serious long-term commitment. The 26-year-old's status figures to be Tampa's top front office priority this offseason.