Wow. Bruce Arians and Jason Licht have done the impossible yet again, as Leonard Fournette announced his return to the city of Tampa Bay. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers star running back signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million with the possibility of earning up to $4 million through incentives. His return to the Bay comes as somewhat unexpected, as the Buccaneers were running low on cap space prior to his signing. However, Fournette qualified as a huge X-factor on Tom Brady‘s offense, and the Buccaneers were clearly not willing to let him walk away.
How Fournette Got Here
Leonard Fournette originally planned to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020, but he was cut from the team prior to the beginning of the season. He proceeded to sign a one-year deal worth $2 million with the Buccaneers, giving himself the privilege of staying in the Sunshine State. In the regular season, Fournette struggled to remain consistent as a backup to Ronald Jones II, as his production numbers dropped from his time in Jacksonville. However, the former 4th overall pick showed his true form in the playoffs, leading some of the NFL’s most elite running backs in multiple rushing categories. During the postseason, Fournette carried the ball on 64 occasions for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns. His efforts in the receiving category also qualified as notable, as he reeled in 18 receptions and 1 TD. This unexpected dominance earned him the nicknames “Playoff Lenny” and “Lombardi Lenny”.
Antonio Brown Now Stands By Himself
In a sea of signings in Tampa Bay, Antonio Brown still has not received a contract. Although most people expect him to return to the Buccaneers, the possibility of him leaving the Sunshine State is not far-fetched. As the days go by, the Buccaneers’ salary cap space lessens more and more. It’s also worth noting that Brown does not qualify as essential, as he did not start on the team last year. Yes, he put up strong efforts, but Chris Godwin and Mike Evans still did more. So, will he stay or will he go?
Why This is Significant for Tampa Bay
With Fournette back, the Buccaneers become the first team ever in the salary cap era to return all of their starters. This feat should help the team remain consistent and on par with their 2020 squad, as everyone will possess the necessary poise and experience needed to win a Super Bowl. For now, it’s all about whether the Bucs can maintain the proper determination to accomplish the big feat next February. They may qualify as the strongest team in the NFL, but it only takes one mistake for a season to be over. However, America’s biggest sporting event is still a long time away, and much more can change.