After one season and little production with the Buffalo Bills last year, Leonard Fournette wants NFL teams to know he still has enough in the tank.
The veteran running back made a loud statement about his future, informing teams that he plans to play in 2024. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fournette signed former agent Ari Nissim and Pat Capra, sending a strong statement with the new counsel.
“Leonard is in the best shape of his career, and I expect him to find a new home soon,” Nissim stated, according Schefter.
Veteran running back struggled to find a role in Buffalo.
Fournette signed with the Bills on October 30 of last season, joining the practice squad after veteran running back Damien Harris suffered a season-ending injury. While it appeared that Fournette could play a key role, he stayed on the practice squad as running back Ty Johnson was promoted and established his position as the No. 2 back behind James Cook.
In an interview with the Buffalo News published on December 5, the 28-year-old running back stated that being off the active roster was a “humbling” experience.
“I’m comfortable, up to speed,” Fournette told Jay Skurski of the Buffalo News. “I am ready, man. I’m just waiting for my opportunity. Of course, this is my first time in this job, so I have my days. I believe it is humbling me, testing my faith and everything, but I’m improving.”
The opportunity arrived late. Fournette played in two games for the Bills, rushing 12 times for 40 yards. It was the lowest output in his seven-year NFL career.
Fournette reached 1,000 yards twice in his career and gained a reputation as a strong postseason performer during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run in 2020. Over his seven NFL seasons, he rushed for 4,518 yards and 34 touchdowns, while also catching 312 passes for 2,219 yards and 7 touchdowns.
Changing Backfield in Buffalo
The Bills made significant changes to their backfield this summer, allowing many veteran backs to depart in free agency. In an effort to save money, the Bills released Nyheim Hines and chose not to re-sign Harris, Fournette, or Latavius Murray.
Instead, the Vikings added additional youth to the backfield by picking Kentucky running back Ray Davis. Chad Reuter of NFL.com identified Davis as a player to watch, believing that the power back might be an effective counter to Cook’s speed.
“Ray Davis could be the thunder to James Cook’s lightning in the Bills offense, giving Buffalo a more powerful one-two punch than it had with Cook and Latavius Murray in 2023,” according to Reuter. “The youngster will thrive in the red zone, relieving some of the strain on quarterback Josh Allen, who rushed for 15 touchdowns last season (Cook had only two). Defenses that line up against Davis on early downs may be startled by his ability as a receiver out of the backfield.
Cook, who became the Bills’ first running back since LeSean McCoy to rush for over 1,000 yards last season, is anticipated to play a key role again this season.
