Report: Former Buccaneers' Super Bowl Champion Running Back Works Out For Patriots
Training camp is right around the corner as NFL teams undergo final preparations before getting back on the field. At this point of the offseason, there are still several quality free agents available who could provide an impact depending on the situation.
The most stacked position on the market is probably the crop of players that are available in the backfield. The list of talent includes well-known and established names such as Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, and Kareem Hunt.
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None of the four players are in a rush to make a decision as they gauge interest around the league.
On Wednesday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Fournette visited the New England Patriots and also went through a workout for the team. He wasn't the only running back in the building as the Patriots also brought in veteran Darrell Henderson.
Fournette also visited New England in 2022 when he was a free agent before ultimately re-upping on a three-year/$21 million deal with the Buccaneers. The team released him earlier this offseason in a cap space saving move that also elevated second-year running back Rachaad White into the starting role.
"Lombardi Lenny, Playoff Lenny, a lot of different nicknames. We'll see if he can add Patriots running back Leonard Fournette to his moniker," Rapoport said on NFL Total Access. "He visited and worked out for New England - that was today. My understanding is despite the fact that they did not immediately sign him, certainly, this is something that at least they will keep tabs on in the future."
"But not the only running back to work out for them today. Darrell Henderson also worked out for the New England Patriots and really, this makes a lot of sense. They have Rhamondre Stevenson who has established himself as a clear lead back," Rapoport continued. "They lost Damien Harris. They have a little bit of a void at backup running back, certainly does seem like a veteran would make some sense. Maybe it's a case of either they sign someone before camp or get into camp, see the running backs that they have on their roster, and maybe decide to add later."
Fournette is coming off a three-year stint with the Buccaneers where he played an instrumental role in the team's Super Bowl LV run. He rushed 64 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns on the ground while also catching a scoring pass through the air over Tampa Bay's four playoff games. Fournette became the third player in NFL history to score at least one touchdown in four games in a single postseason run.
He struggled this past season as the Buccaneers fielded one of the worst running games in the league. Fournette recorded the second-lowest mark for his career in average yards per attempt (3.5) and average yards per game (41.8). He finished with 189 rushes for 668 yards and three scores.
A change of scenery seemed to be the best move for both sides with the team's investment in White. That might end up in Fournette switching conferences if the Patriots ultimately bring him on.
The former No. 4 overall pick in 2017 has spent six total years at the NFL, splitting that time between Tampa Bay and Jacksonville. The Jaguars waived Fournette in 2020, paving the way for his eventual tenure with the Buccaneers.
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Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the offseason.
