The Bucs are planning to release veteran running back Leonard Fournette, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Fournette, who has been with the Bucs for the past three seasons, just completed the first year of a three-year contract with the team. He is coming off of a disappointing season, as he averaged only 3.5 yards per carry for the worst rushing offense in the NFL. The Bucs will incur a $5,000,000 dead cap hit to their 2023 salary cap while netting $3,470,588 in savings.

Fournette initially joined the team just after training camp prior to the 2020 season. He signed following his release from the Jacksonville Jaguars and served as the primary backup to Ronald Jones, amassing 367 yards on 97 carries (3.8 average) while catching 36 passes for 233 yards and scoring six total touchdowns. Jones got injured late in the season, which led to Fournette turning it on in the playoffs.

Over the four-game stretch in the postseason that year, Fournette carried the ball 64 times for 300 yards (4.7 average) while logging 18 receptions for 148 yards and four total touchdowns en route to Tampa Bay’s second Super Bowl. That postseason run led to the birth of Fournette’s most famous moniker “Playoff Lenny.”

Leonard Fournette’s Time As Bucs Starting Running Back

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette – Photo by: USA Today

Following the 2020 season, the Bucs and Fournette agreed to a one-year prove-it deal that would allow him to show he was capable of being the team’s primary running back for an entire season. The deal was for $3.25 million. Fournette responded with his best season as a Buc, carrying the ball 180 times for 812 yards and eight touchdowns while catching the ball 69 times for 454 yards and two touchdowns.

The offseason preceding the 2022 season saw Fournette become a free agent once again. After entertaining a visit with the Patriots, Fournette re-signed with Tampa Bay for three years and $21 million. With only $2.5 million of his $6.5 million 2023 salary guaranteed, the Bucs are able to net some savings in their bid to get under the 2023 salary cap of $224.8 million.

With Fournette’s release, the Bucs now only have two running backs on their roster. Rachaad White is coming off of a rookie season that saw him rush for 481 yards on 129 carries while catching 50 of 58 targets for 290 yards and three total touchdowns. Behind White is fourth-year running back Ke’Shawn Vaughn. Vaughn, a former third-round pick, has had very limited action in his career. Over three years, the former Vanderbilt standout has totaled 421 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns.

With Fournette’s departure the Bucs will most likely look to add a cheap veteran and/or a late round addition in the draft.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht commented on Fournette at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine, suggesting that he still had several good years left as a three-down back. Yet, Licht didn’t say that it would be in Tampa Bay – and it won’t be.