The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today re-signed running back Leonard Fournette. As per team policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Fournette (6-0, 228) returns to Tampa Bay for a second season after one of the best statistical playoff performances in Buccaneers franchise history, helping the team to a Super Bowl LV victory. Over the four-game playoff run, Fournette led the team in rushing yards (300), rushing touchdowns (three), scrimmage touches (82), scrimmage yards (448), scrimmage touchdowns (four) and receptions (18). He also became one of just three players in NFL history to record a touchdown in all four of their team's playoff games in a single postseason, joining Larry Fitzgerald (2008) and Terrell Davis (1997).
Fournette's 448 scrimmage yards marked the most in team history for a single postseason, the ninth-most in NFL history for a single postseason and stand as the second-most all-time in franchise playoff history, trailing only Mike Alstott (502). Fournette's 300 rushing yards and 18 receptions both also set team records for a single postseason. In addition, his three rushing touchdowns are the second-most and his 12 points scored are tied for the third-most in a single postseason in team history.
"Leonard's playoff performance was nothing short of spectacular and was the fruition of him really buying into what we were trying to accomplish as a team last year," said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. "Lenny's versatility and toughness make him a very dynamic player in our offense and bringing him back adds another valuable asset at the running back position to help in our pursuit of another championship."
In his first season with Tampa Bay in 2019, Fournette appeared in 13 regular season games, making three starts. He rushed 97 times for 367 yards and six touchdowns, while adding 36 receptions for 233 yards in the passing game.
Fournette, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2017 NFL Draft, came to Tampa Bay after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19). Over 49 career regular season games, including 39 starts, he has amassed 763 carries for 2,998 yards and 23 rushing touchdowns. He has also contributed 170 receptions for 1,242 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Through his fourth NFL season, Fournette has appeared in seven total playoff games between Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, starting all seven games. Since entering the league in 2017, he ranks first in postseason rushing touchdowns (seven), first in scrimmage touches (159), second in rushing yards (542), third in scrimmage touchdowns (eight) and fourth in scrimmage yards (734).
A native of New Orleans, Fournette played collegiately at Louisiana State. He wears No. 28 for Tampa Bay.
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