The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have an important decision to make by May 3. Will the Buccaneers pick up Doug Martin’s fifth-year option? According to Pewter Report‘s Scott Reynolds, the answer is no. In fact, Reynolds reports that Charles Sims will assume the featured back role next season and the Bucs will utilize the draft to select a bigger back to assume the goal-line and short-yardage plays. Reynolds adds that there is a possibility that Martin could be dealt on draft day.

Ever since his breakout rookie season, Martin just hasn’t been the same running back. Injuries and a poor offensive line could be seen as a catalyst for his decline, but Bobby Rainey found occasional success last year, suggesting that the Muscle Hamster’s poor numbers may have more to do with him than anything else. Ever since Lovie Smith took over as head coach, the writing has been on the wall in regards to Martin’s future with the team. The team used a third-round pick on Sims, who Bucs running back coach Tim Spencer has said reminds him of Lovie’s former Chicago Bears back, Matt Forte.

If the Buccaneers are able to pull off a trade solely involving Martin, it’s hard to believe they will be able to get anything more than a late-round pick.

If this does end up being the end of the road for Martin with the Buccaneers, it will be an unfortunate and very short end to what appeared to be a very bright future.