The Patriots hosted running back Leonard Fournette on a free agent visit Monday only to see him sign a new contract with the Buccaneers the very next day.
In other words, the Patriots just got used. They are now nothing more than negotiating leverage for veterans who want to make another Super Bowl run with Tom Brady.
The Bucs inked Fournette Tuesday to a three-year deal, $21 million deal. The 2017 first-round pick enjoyed the best season of his career in Tampa Bay, ranking sixth among all NFL running backs with 1,266 yards from scrimmage. It was a great encore to his 2020 postseason run, in which he led the Bucs with 448 scrimmage yards and four touchdowns on their way to the Super Bowl.
Fournette rushed for 135 yards in Super Bowl LV as the Buccaneers beat the Chiefs.
When news of Fournette’s trip to Foxborough broke, it seemed like Bill Belichick might have an offseason plan after all. The Patriots would’ve added Fournette to a deep backfield that already includes Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and the recently re-signed James White. Unwilling to spend on receivers, the Patriots’ interest in Fournette signaled Belichick was maybe trying to add cost-effective playmakers elsewhere.
Instead, it indicated Fournette’s desire to squeeze a little more out of the Bucs.
Fournette is one of several veterans who flocked to Tampa Bay when Brady signed two years ago. Rob Gronkowski, Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul, LeSean McCoy, and Antonio Brown joined Brady as well.
This offseason, Brady’s retirement reversal prompted the Buccaneers to deftly restructure the contracts of Mike Evans and Shaq Barrett, creating salary cap room to retain Chris Godwin. They also acquired Shaq Mason from the Patriots for a measly fifth-round pick.
Belichick seems to be aiding Brady in his quest for his eighth Super Bowl win.
For years, veteran players took discounted deals to sign with the Patriots. But as Fournette’s actions show, they really just wanted to play with Brady.
SI’s Albert Breer reports Fournette was one of the free agents who Brady was “aggressively” recruiting, and there are more to go.
Be on the lookout for the next Buccaneer to land in Foxborough, only to head back to Tampa Bay hours later with more ammunition to wind up where he actually wants.