LSU Tigers alumnus Leonard Fournette is on the move again

Leonard Fournette is an LSU Tigers alumnus and Super Bowl LV champion. But, unfortunately, the running back needs a new NFL team.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Leonard Fournette on Friday, ending his three-year tenure with the team. Such is unsurprising, given the running back’s recent season and the new direction of the Bucs.

Tampa Bay is now trending toward a roster rebuild…a running back with 1,132 career carries doesn’t jive

Leonard Fournette was an excellent fit for a Buccaneers’ offense that prioritized time of possession and relied on play-action passing. But much has changed in Tampa Bay since “Playoff Lenny” became “Lombardi Lenny.” The Buccaneers fired offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich in January, and Tom Brady announced his retirement less than a month later. Tampa Bay is now trending toward a roster rebuild, of which a running back with 1,132 career carries doesn’t jive.

Leonard Fournette (28) was a playoff hero during Tampa Bay’s run to Super Bowl LV. He ran for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 64 carries while averaging 4.7 yards per carry during the 2020 postseason. He also caught 18 passes for 148 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Fournette is one of three players in NFL history to score a touchdown in four playoff games in a single season.

The Buccaneers signed Fournette on a one-year contract after his release from Jacksonville during the 2020 season. Another one-year deal ensued during the 2021 offseason before Fournette signed a three-year contract worth $21 million ahead of 2022. However, the situation in Tampa Bay soured for the running back as he asked for his release at the season’s end.

Fournette’s production was absent for most of the Buccaneers’ 2022 season. In his defense, such had much to do with Tampa Bay’s disjointed execution on offense. Fournette only carried the ball 15 times or more in four games and did not rush for over 100 yards until Week 18 vs. Dallas.

Fans should expect several teams to express interest in Fournette’s services. Teams like the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and Dallas Cowboys are arguably needy of a physical running back. So Fournette paired with Tony Pollard or in a stable with Jerrick McKinnon, and Isiah Pacheco makes a lot of sense.

However, teams will unlikely break the bank to bring Fournette to camp. So instead, a one-year deal seems most likely for the LSU Tigers alumnus.