Jaguars decline option for RB Leonard Fournette
Michael Baca
NFL.com
The handwriting is on the wall for
Jaguars running back
Leonard Fournette.
Sources tell NFL Network's Tom Pelissero that the
Jaguars are declining the fifth-year option on Fournette, meaning the 2020 season is a contract year for the three-year veteran.
Fournette, who was selected No. 4 overall by the
Jaguars in the 2017
NFL Draft, has been the
subject of trade rumors this offseason, and Friday's news indicates his time in Jacksonville is ticking.
In three seasons as a Jaguar, Fournette has rushed for 2,631 yards and 17 touchdowns while also accumulating over 1,000 yards through the air. An injury-plagued sophomore season halted what was a promising start for Fournette coming off a stellar rookie campaign.
Even with questions of his work ethic and commitment to the
Jaguars after two years, Fournette had a productive year in 2019 and proved otherwise. Yet, with the
Jaguars rethinking their roster and trading away the likes of
Jalen Ramsey,
A.J. Bouye,
Nick Folesand
Calais Campbell within the past year, Fournette's exit has been inevitable.
In related news on Friday, the team added pass-catching RB
Chris Thompson to their backfield.