It took Leonard Fournette until October to find a job for the 2023 campaign. The veteran running back is hoping his current free agency stint doesn’t last nearly as long. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fournette intends to continue his NFL career and is hoping to catch on with a team before the start of the regular season.
To help in his pursuit of a 2024 gig, Fournette has hired Ari Nissim and Pat Capra as representation. Nissam told Schefter that his newest client is in the “best shape of his career,” and the agent expects Fournette to find “a new home soon.”
Fournette didn’t see a major drop in counting stats during his final season in Tampa Bay. The former fourth-overall pick finished the 2022 season with 1,191 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns, a slight dip from his 1,266-yard, 10-touchdown campaign in 2021. After getting cut by the Buccaneers last February, Fournette garnered interest from the Patriots and Colts, but a deal didn’t end up materializing until midway through the season.
The veteran caught on with the Bills practice squad in late October, with Buffalo seeking a replacement for Damien Harris. Fournette was unable to knock James Cook nor Latavius Murray from their spots on the depth chart before he eventually earned a promotion late in the year. Fournette ended up getting into a pair of games with the Bills down the stretch, collecting 40 total yards on 12 touches. The running back was cut from Buffalo’s practice squad in January.
It’s been quiet for the 29-year-old this offseason, and teams will surely want to get a long look at their current RB options before pivoting to the free agency pool. Still, Fournette could be a solid option for a team seeking an experienced pass-catcher, with the veteran averaging more than 60 receptions per season between 2019 and 2022. Dalvin Cook is still awaiting a job, and Fournette is likely sitting in the second tier of free agent RBs alongside the likes of Murray, Cam Akers, and Kareem Hunt.
3rd down role for Eagles to take load of Barkley. Or a rotational depth piece for Chiefs, they got rid of McKinnon
Seems like a Chiefs move. Veteran backup who can catch on a low deal? Reid’s done it before. I’m not predicting it, but I wouldn’t be surprised-especially if somebody gets hurt or the run game is subpar in the season.
Yeah plus Leonard at this point needs to take what he can get
Raiders?
Fournette’s best days are likely behind him, but he’ll surely get a call at some point. I don’t know if he’s more than a platoon piece at this point in his career, but as the article notes, his pass catching is pretty good for a bigger back. That can help compensate for a loss in burst in extending his threat potential, by allowing Fournette to operate either as a checkdown or short yardage back in a otherwise passing set. I don’t see him leading a team in touches, but he could be a valuable part of a young platoon.
Does FA stand for fat ass? He has lost 4 steps and runs like Nancy Pelosi. He is cooked
For what it’s worth, Adrian Peterson’s agent is probably telling everyone his client is in the best shape of his career and expects to find a new home soon 🙂
Beating his children keeps him in shape. He is a diabolically bad person