Saturday, October 17, 2026

Buccaneers Bring Back Leonard Fournette for 3 Years, $21M

  • Fournette was a key piece in Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV run.
  • The Bucs also recently signed wide receivers Chris Godwin and Russell Gage to three-year deals.
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Tom Brady is back — and now one of the key weapons in his last Super Bowl run has re-upped.

On Tuesday, the Bucs re-signed RB Leonard Fournette to a three-year, $21 million ($9M guaranteed) contract worth a maximum of $24 million, per multiple reports.

Signing a 27-year-old to a multiyear deal could be a dubious prospect — an RB’s average career length is 2.6 years, the shortest of any position.

But the market value and Fournette’s production could justify Tampa’s move.

  • The $7 million AAV is tied for 10th in the league among RBs.
  • In 2021, Fournette set a career high in yards per attempt (4.5) and was top-10 in the league in rushing TDs (8).
  • Fournette led all NFL RBs in receptions per game (4.9) and recorded a career-high two receiving TDs.
  • During the Bucs’ Super Bowl LV run, he led the playoffs in rushing yards (300), rushing TDs (3), and RB receiving yards (148).

Tampa shored up its receiving corps following Brady’s unretirement, signing Chris Godwin ($60M) and former Falcon Russell Gage ($30M) to three-year pacts to complement Mike Evans.

The only pieces still missing: TE Rob Gronkowski, who remains unsigned, and O-line reinforcements — G Ali Marpet retired, and G Alex Cappa signed with the Bengals.

The Buccaneers are currently second-favorites (+750*) behind the Bills (+650*) for their second Lombardi Trophy in three seasons.

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

CFP Expansion Could Raise Stakes for Coaches, Buyout Costs

Nick Saban warns more playoff spots could mean more firings.

NFL Reinstates Josh Jacobs, Jonathon Cooper From Paid Leave

Each player missed six games while on the commissioner-exempt list.
Troy Aikman
Exclusive

Troy Aikman, Dolphins Have No Ongoing Consulting Agreement

Aikman’s official role ended with the coach and GM searches.

Jags Eye First London Sweep As U.K. Future Remains Uncertain

The Jaguars host the Texans after beating the Eagles.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/16/26 – Aikman Eyes Free Agency, CFP Nears 24 Teams, Stoudemire Becomes Cop

0:00

Featured Today

College Flag Football Is Outgrowing Its DIY Era

Women have been building the college game themselves at the club level.
Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena
October 12, 2026

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
Oct 12, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relieves pitcher Kris Bubic (40) during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in game two of the NLCS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at American Family Field.

As Dodgers’ NLCS Hopes Fade, Game 3 Ticket Prices Drop

Get-in pricing for Dodger Stadium games is falling sharply.
October 11, 2026

John Harbaugh’s Giants Are Contenders, Even With an Odd Tie

The Giants lead the NFC East.
October 12, 2026

Atlanta Dream Likely to Host WNBA Finals at Tiny Home Arena

The Dream will play their home games at State Farm next year.
Sponsored

The State of AI in Sports 2026

Front Office Sports and Teamworks reveal how AI is reshaping sports in the first industry-wide report on adoption, investment, and impact.
October 11, 2026

Deshaun Watson’s Revived Play Raises Questions About Future

Watson is in the fifth and final year of his contract.
October 8, 2026

Titans Fire Three Business Execs Amid Another Ugly Start

The moves are just the latest high-level exits and shifts in recent years. 
October 7, 2026

Buss Siblings: Jeanie Can’t Block Sale of Lakers Stake

Jeanie is acting purely out of self-interest, her siblings say.
First at FOS
October 7, 2026

Yankee Stadium Quietly Suffered a Summer Peanut Shortage

The Yankees mysteriously ran out of peanuts this summer.