Bucs plan to release RB Fournette

INDIANAPOLIS — Tampa Bay Bucs general manager Jason Licht raved about rookie running back Rachaad White and even backup Ke’Shawn Vaughn on Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine.

Then a question was asked about Leonard Fournette. Licht paused.

“I think Leonard Fournette still has several years left in him as a three-down back,” he said. But it won’t be with the Bucs. Tampa Bay is $56 million over the salary cap and plans to release Fournette prior to the start of the new league year on March 15.

Fournette told the Tampa Bay Times he requested to be let go by the Bucs following the 2022 season.

“I asked after the season to be [released], and they respected my wishes,” Fournette said. “So no bad blood.”

Fournette said quarterback Tom Brady’s retirement played heavily into his decision to ask for his release because he’s only interested in playing for a winner.

“Winning is everything,” Fournette said. “That’s all. And in my last three years here, that’s all we’ve done. But since my guy [Brady] left, that’s why I came, so my time here was up.”

Fournette, who emerged as “Playoff Lenny” during the Bucs’ magical run to a Super Bowl 55 title following the 2020 season, lost his starting job to White halfway through the 2022 season when he averaged only 3.5 yards per carry.

The Bucs will save about $3.5 million on the cap by releasing Fournette.

Tampa Bay was prepared to move on without him a year ago, before Brady decided to end his retirement. Fournette was visiting the New England Patriots as a free agent when Brady called and asked what he was doing up there.

The Bucs re-signed Fournette to a three-year, $21 million contract with $9 million guaranteed. He was scheduled to earn about $7 million in 2023.

Even in his reduced role, Fournette caught 73 passes for 523 yards and 3 touchdowns last season.