Buccaneers expected to release Leonard Fournette before start of new league year: report

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are planning to release veteran running back Leonard Fournette prior to the start of the new league year March 15, NFL Network first reported. 

It was a move Fournette told the Tampa Bay Times he asked for, saying there's "no bad blood." 

Instead, a certain retirement at quarterback for the Bucs has Fournette wanting a new opportunity elsewhere. 

"Winning is everything," Fournette told the newspaper. "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."

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Tom Brady (12) hands off to Leonard Fournette (7) of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT and T Stadium Sept. 11, 2022, in Arlington, Texas. (Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Fournette signed a three-year deal with the Bucs last offseason worth $21 million (it could be worth $24 million with incentives). However, the Bucs are looking to get under the NFL’s salary cap. They're going to be roughly $21.4 million over once Brady’s contract comes off the books. 

By releasing Fournette, the Bucs would be eating $5 million in dead cap money while saving $3.47 million toward it. There is also $2 million in guaranteed money remaining that the Bucs would have to pay. 

Head coach Todd Bowles knows this offseason will be an interesting one for Tampa because of its cap situation, saying "that’s part of the business."

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