The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning on releasing running back Leonard Fournette once the league’s season officially begins on March 15th. This move will save the team $3.47 million in cap space but comes with a dead cap hit of five million dollars. With the team entering a likely rebuilding era with quarterback Tom Brady it makes sense that the team would be making moves like this. Fournette had also underproduced this past season and lost a lot of his snaps to rookie running back Rachaad White. With all of that in mind, this move makes sense for both sides.
The #Bucs plan to release RB Leonard Fournette when the new league year begins March 15, per sources.
GM Jason Licht mentioned recently that he felt Fournette was still a three-down back in this league. “Lombardi Lenny” is still only 28 and has plenty in the tank. pic.twitter.com/KMHiGSfG9L
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2023
This past season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Leonard Fournette rushed the ball 189 times for 668 yards and three touchdowns. He also caught 73 passes for 523 yards and three receiving touchdowns. With the Buccaneers likely not heading to a contending position next season, more cuts and trades may come later in the offseason. Fournette was a big part of the team’s Super Bowl win, but now that era is over.
There will likely be another team that is interested in Leonard Fournette in a reserve role next season. Change of pace running backs are always a needed thing in the NFL and Fournette could be very effective with fewer carries. At just 28 years old, the veteran running back still has some football left in him.
