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

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.