Leonard Fournette, also known as ‘Lombardi Lenny,’ will always be cherished for helping the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV. But the 2020 postseason was arguably his peak in Champa Bay as Fournette never quite matched the 4.7 yards per carry average he held during their four-game playoff run three years ago.
The bottom fell out this past season when Fournette lost his starting role to third-round rookie running back Rachaad White. It likely didn’t help that Fournette averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, which tied for the worst mark in the NFL.
- Leonard Fournette stats last season: 668 rush yards, 3 TD, 523 rec. yards, 3 TD catches
Now, the Bucs are releasing Fournette from his contract after the running back reportedly requested a change of scenery. This move saves up to $3.4 million, which may not seem like much, but the Buccaneers have the NFL’s worst cap situation by being $50 million over the 2023 salary cap. Releasing ‘Playoff Lenny’ also leaves behind $5 million in dead salary, which can be reduced to $3.5M if he’s designated as a post-June 1 release.
Now, Leonard, 28, will be free to sign with any team he chooses. Yet finding another starting opportunity for him at this stage in his career may be difficult. But his 6-foot, 228-pound frame would appear to still be a great fit in a goal-line and short-yardage situation at the very least.
- Leonard Fournette’s career stats: 4,478 rushing yards, 34 TD, 4.0 YPC, 2,219 rec. yards, 7 TD catches
Meanwhile, the Buccaneers will continue trying to improve upon their league-worst rushing attack from last season. Rachaad White figures to be a big part of that makeover, with new offensive coordinator Dave Canales hoping to carry over his past ground game success from Seattle to Tampa Bay.
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