Report: Leonard Fournette makes decision on future with Buccaneers

Free agent running back Leonard Fournette took a visit with the New England Patriots on Monday. Now, just a day after his visit with the Patriots, Fournette has reportedly made a decision with his future with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Fournette is re-signing with the Buccaneers on a brand new contract.

“Running back Leonard Fournette, who spent Monday visiting with the New England Patriots, is re-signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a three-year deal, per sources,” Schefter tweeted.

Fournette has spent the past two seasons with the Buccaneers. In 2020, he played in 13 games, rushing 97 times for 367 yards and six touchdowns. He also grabbed 36 receptions for 233 yards. This past season, Fournette took control of the backfield in Tampa Bay, rushing for 812 yards with eight touchdowns, also adding 69 receptions for 454 yards and two additional scores.

Prior to his time in Tampa Bay, Fournette spent the first three years of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being selected fourth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft out of LSU. Fournette rushed for at least 1,000 yards in two of his first three years in the league. In 2019, he had 1,152 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. But just prior to the start of the regular season in 2020, the Jaguars cut Fournette, and he then joined the Buccaneers.

Fournette paced the Buccaneers backfield last season

While Ronald Jones has been given opportunities to lead Tampa Bay’s running back room, he hasn’t been able to take advantage of those chances. That allowed Fournette to play himself into a prominent role. Behind Fournette, Jones rushed 101 times for 428 yards and four touchdowns last season. Young running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn also rushed 36 times for 180 yards and two touchdowns.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Fournette’s new deal is worth a base value of $21 million, paying him $7 million per season. The deal is worth a max value of $24 million.

The Buccaneers had a good year last season, going 13-4 in the regular season and winning the NFC South title. Tampa Bay then defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wildcard round of the NFC playoffs before losing to the Los Angeles Rams in the Divisional round. The Rams then went on to win the Super Bowl.

With Tom Brady back in the fold, the Buccaneers are looking to make another deep run next season. Fournette wanted to be a part of that.