Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Leonard Fournette a likely cap casualty in 2023

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are headed into a transition period following the retirement of Tom Brady. In the face of mounting changes in Tampa Bay, running back Leonard Fournette could be one of the first to go.

Fournette, the fourth pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, signed with the Buccaneers in September 2020. Brought in to boost a struggling rushing attack, the 6-foot running back played a minimal role during the regular season.

He took over during the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl run, recording 448 scrimmage yards and four total touchdowns across four games. After earning a Super Bowl ring, Fournette remained in Tampa Bay and eclipsed 1,200 scrimmage yards with 10 total touchdowns during the 2021 season.

• Leonard Fournette stats (2022): 668 rushing yards, 3.5 yards per carry, 1,191 scrimmage yards on 262 touches

The franchise rewarded Fournette with a three-year, $21 million contract extension in March 2022. However, the Buccaneers’ offense struggled as its rushing attack bottomed out. Fournette became a check-down option for Brady, finishing the regular season with 73 receptions and 523 receiving yards in 16 games.

Dan Pompei of The Athletic believes that Fournette is the likeliest cap casualty on Tampa Bay’s roster. It’s even more probable he is cut if the franchise is rebuilding, which appears to be the plan.

• Leonard Fournette contract: $8.47 million cap hit (’23), $4.97 cap savings if post-June 1 cut

The Buccaneers need significant cap relief. Entering late February, Tampa Bay sat $56.5 million over the NFL salary cap. While the franchise’s Super Bowl window is closed, it still wants to try and re-sign impending free agents like cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting or linebacker Lavonte David.

Considering running back is one of the strengths of the 2023 NFL Draft class and 2022 third-round pick Rachaad White impressed in his rookie season, there’s no future in Tampa Bay for Fournette. As a result, he becomes easily expendable for the organization.

Considering the top NFL free agents in 2023 includes running backs Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Miles Sanders, Damien Harris, David Montgomery and Rashaad Penny, Fournette might not find a starting opportunity. The free-agent outlook for the veteran could get even worse if the Minnesota Vikings release Dalvin Cook or the Cincinnati Bengals cut Joe Mixon.