Could Leonard Fournette be this year's Jay Ajayi for Howie Roseman and the Philadelphia Eagles?
The 28-year-old free-agent running back reportedly has interest from multiple teams and is in "great shape" and "ready to help a team down the stretch," according to Tom Pelissero.
Fournette spent his last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Bucs, helping them win Super Bowl LV in 2021.
Fournette played with Tom Brady and Ndamukong Suh, who the Eagles added last year as a mid season, veteran addition.
Fournette, who brings a championship pedigree and locker room leadership intangibles, would provide the Eagles with some between-the-tackles rushing depth. He also is a back who can catch the ball, recording 312 catches in six career seasons, including three seasons where he caught 69 or more passes.
It is clear the Eagles do not trust RB Rashaad Penny, who has played in just one game this season receiving only three carries. The 28-year-old former sixth round pick Boston Scott provides some depth and change of pace touches, but at just 5'6" he's hard to rely on consistently.
D'Andre Swift has been the Eagles' workhorse this season and he has been excellent, but he's seeing an all-time usage rate with 86 carries in six games (really five games) and is another small back (5'9") who has dealt with injury issues throughout his career.
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni recently admitted on the 94WIP Morning Show that workload concerns regarding Swift are valid.
Kenneth Gainwell has just 41 carries this season as Swift's backup, and already missed a game due to injury.
Between the four backs, the Eagles are spending just $6,010,632 on their cap, via spotrac.com. So while it may look like a crowded backfield, the Eagles are one Swift injury a way from it being paper thin.
