Leonard Fournette landing spots: Buccaneers parting ways with RB after veteran requests to be released

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off the 2023 season with a distinct beginning backfield following quarterback Tom Brady’s retirement. The staff released veteran operating again Leonard Fournette formally on Friday. 

Fournette told the Tampa Bay Times on Tuesday that he “requested after the season to be (released) they usually revered my needs. So no unhealthy blood.”

The 28-year-old rusher re-signed with Tampa Bay on a three-year, $21 million contract closing offseason after enjoying for the staff on one-year offers in 2020 and 2021. The liberate used to be in part wage cap motivated since he had $2 million left in absolutely assured cash on his deal in addition to $2 million roster bonus on March 19. Now, the Buccaneers can redistribute his cap hit throughout more than one seasons to reduce the load. 

The fourth general select of the 2017 NFL Draft via the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fournette joined the Buccaneers proper ahead of the beginning of the 2020 following a liberate, and he used to be an integral a part of their Super Bowl LV championship staff as he totaled 4 touchdowns all through their postseason run — 3 dashing and one receiving. In 2021, Fournette used to be one in every of best 4 avid gamers with over 800 dashing yards and 400 receiving yards, becoming a member of New Orleans Saints operating again Alvin Kamara, Los Angeles Chargers operating again Austin Ekeler and Pittsburgh Steelers operating again Najee Harris. 

However, Fournette’s 2022 season were given off to a rocky get started when he confirmed up obese to the staff’s OTAs and obligatory minicamp closing offseason. He went on to reasonable 3.5 yards in step with lift in 2022, the bottom of his Buccaneers occupation and the second-lowest quantity in all the NFL that season amongst certified rushers, forward of best New York Jets operating again Michael Carter. His dual-threat skills as each a rusher and receiver nonetheless shined, despite the fact that, as he used to be best one in every of 3 avid gamers in all the league closing season with over 650 dashing yards (668) and over 500 receiving yards (523) alongside with San Francisco 49ers operating again Christian McCaffrey and Ekeler. 

Now, Fournette is one of the choices groups can seize so as to fill out their operating again rooms for 2023. Below, take a look at one of the intriguing landing spots that might be to be had to the veteran now that he is at the open marketplace.   

The Buffalo Bills want to take a few of Josh Allen’s dashing makes an attempt off his plate for his long-term well being. His 124 carries in 2022 had been greater than Cleveland Browns operating again Kareem Hunt and the 3rd maximum amongst all quarterbacks, trailing best the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts (165) and the Bears’ Justin Fields. Allen used to be productive as his 5,045 overall yards and 42 overall touchdowns had been each the second one maximum within the league at the back of MVP Patrick Mahomes. However, a symptom of Allen doing the whole lot used to be him main the NFL with 19 turnovers, a stat a quarterback by no means needs to be related with. 

The Bills have attempted to in finding answers within the backfield between Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, Nyheim Hines and James Cook. None have stood out in a big means thus far. Fournette may supply a dual-purpose again Allen may lean on each close to the objective line and within the passing sport. 

The Cincinnati Bengals’ dependable No. 2 operating again and robust move blocker Samaje Perine is long gone, having signed a two-year, $7.5 million contract with the Denver Broncos. Fournette may be an excellent substitute. He thrived all through the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run in 2020, so the intense lighting fixtures would not segment him will have to Cincy make a run once more in 2023. He would be a competent blocker and punishing choice within the Bengals backfield. 

Chargers

With NFL scrimmage touchdowns chief Austin Ekeler having a look right into a business after voicing frustration about his contract scenario, Fournette may be a decrease finances substitute for him along Justin Herbert. He brings a an identical skillset as Ekeler in a bigger bundle, one thing that might receive advantages the Chargers within the pink zone the place they ranked seventeenth in pink zone landing share (54.1%) in 2022.

With Cam Akers set to input the general season of his rookie deal, Fournette may be a pleasant supplement with Malcolm Brown hitting the marketplace. Even despite the fact that the Rams are having a look to shed cap hits with the discharge of Bobby Wagner and the reported passion in buying and selling Jalen Ramsey’s contract, Los Angeles may be ready to get Fournette on a decrease quantity than anticipated given the saturation of operating backs in unfastened company. He may be the thunder to Akers’ lightning as head trainer Sean McVay would possibly decide to opt for a extra run-heavy means in 2023 given quarterback Matthew Stafford’s accidents in 2022.