Report: Jaguars make decision on Leonard Fournette’s contract

Leonard Fournette’s long-term future in Jacksonville once again appears to be in doubt. The former LSU standout was a first-round pick by the Jaguars in 2017, but the latest news on his future with the club has people speculating he could be on the move.

On Friday, NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero reported, per a source, that Jacksonville has declined the running back’s fifth-year option. The decision does not make Fournette a free agent yet, as he is only entering his fourth season, but the news has many fans thinking that Fournette could be traded so the Jaguars get something in return instead of allowing him to leave after the 2020 season as a free agent (with nothing in return).

The news on Fournette’s option comes hours after Jacksonville signed another veteran running back, Chris Thompson, to a one-year deal.

In his young NFL career, Fournette has rushed 666 times in 36 games for 2,631 yards and 17 touchdowns. The 2019 season was Fournette’s best in terms of yards per attempt (4.3). He has also caught 134 passes for 1,009 yards and 2 touchdowns as a pro.

The #Jaguars are declining the fifth-year option on RB Leonard Fournette, source said.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) May 1, 2020

RB Chris Thompson is signing a one-year deal with the Jaguars, per source. Good pass-catching option out of the backfield for Gardner Minshew.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) May 1, 2020

SDS Staff

Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.