Three years ago, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the Super Bowl in Tom Brady’s debut season with the team.
Obviously, Brady received the majority of the credit, as he is widely regarded as the best quarterback and overall player in NFL history, but the Buccaneers had a solid cast surrounding him, which aided his transition after 20 years with the New England Patriots.
Running back Leonard Fournette was a vital member of that cast, but he failed last season with the Buffalo Bills and is still a free agent as training camp approaches.
According to Adam Schefter, he intends to get picked up by an NFL team before the new season begins.
Fournette, the fourth overall choice in the 2017 draft after dominating at Louisiana State University, spent his first three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars before joining Tampa Bay for the 2020 season.
During the successful 2020 season, he recorded 367 rushing yards and six touchdowns, primarily as a backup to Ronald Jones II, but he came up big in the playoffs.
He started all four postseason games and finished with 300 rushing yards, 148 receiving yards, and four total touchdowns, including 89 rushing yards, 46 receiving yards, and a touchdown in the Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs.
Fournette’s shoulder issue restricted him to only two games in 2023, but if he stays healthy and spry, the 29-year-old should be able to contribute, at least as an RB2.
With training camp only two weeks away, a number of clubs, particularly competitive ones, may benefit from his presence in their running back room.
