The Jacksonville Jaguars could have had running back Leonard Fournette under team control through 2021. However, the team declined the fifth-year option on his rookie contract, which will make him a free agent after the 2020 season.
2017 draft class fifth-year options for top 5 picks:
1. Browns DE Myles Garrett: ?
2. Bears QB Mitch Trubisky: ?
3. 49ers DL Solomon Thomas: ?
4. Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette: ?
5. Titans WR Corey Davis: ?It’s hard to find a sure thing in the draft.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 2, 2020
While that doesn’t necessarily mean the team won’t – or can’t – offer him a different contract, it seems inevitable the team and player are headed for a parting of ways.
Fournette was taken with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been a steady, bruising back for much of his time in the pros. But he has had a few nagging injuries that have forced him to miss time (in three seasons, he has yet to play in all 16 regular-season games in any one season).
Last season, he was suspended for a game following an on-field fight against the Buffalo Bills. He’s also been rumored to have had several run-ins with Jaguars coaches and players, which may have gone a long way in setting up what looks like an eventual split.
It is possible the Jaguars find a trade partner and eventually deal their starting running back. Fournette has been the subject of trade rumors for some time, though none have come to fruition as of yet.
In three seasons, Fournette has played in 36 games and has amassed 666 carries for 2,631 yards (an average of four yards per carry) and 17 rushing touchdowns.
He’s also been a pretty steady threat out of the backfield in the passing game as well. Fournette has 134 career catches that have gone for 1,009 yards and two scores.
