There might be an ulterior motive to the earlier news about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers giving running back LeGarrette Blount a one-year contract worth $1.75 million.

The Bucs reportedly are shopping Blount for a trade.

While it might not seem to make a lot of sense to sign a player you don’t want to a contract, it’s logical in this case. Had the Bucs placed a first- or second-round tender on a player that was scheduled to become a restricted free agent, other teams wouldn’t have come near Blount. If the Bucs had placed the low tender on Blount, they wouldn’t have been eligible for compensation because Blount was undrafted.

Getting Blount signed to a reasonable contract was the best way to make him attractive to other teams. The deal didn’t include any signing bonus, so the Bucs wouldn’t have any salary-cap implications if they trade Blount.

Tampa Bay might be able to get a middle-round pick in exchange for Blount. If not, he’s not a bad backup to have around in case Doug Martin encounters any injury issues.