The Pewter Plank
FanSided

5 Buccaneers who probably won’t be back now that Tom Brady has retired

By Josh Hill

TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hands the ball off to Leonard Fournette #7 during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hands the ball off to Leonard Fournette #7 during the first half against the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – OCTOBER 27: Leonard Fournette #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers carries the ball against the Baltimore Ravens during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium on October 27, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Age: 28. Expiring Contract: 3 yr/$21M. Leonard Fournette. RB. player. 48. Pick Analysis. Scouting Report

There’s a chance the Buccaneers try to bring Fournette back, but the math just doesn’t add up. If Jason Licht and company are trying to get under the cap and need to make tough decisions to get there, Fournette checks a lot of boxes.

He’s still owed close to $14 million over the next two seasons, and the Bucs could save as much as $6 million this offseason if they cut or trade Fournette.

Fournette was the team’s leading rusher last season and gave fans plenty of memories that will last a lifetime thanks to Playoff Lenny. But Tampa Bay’s run game was dead last in the league and the emergence of Rashaas White makes losing Fournette easier to stomach.

There’s a chance he comes back if the Bucs want to gamble that whoever comes in to replace Byron Leftwich will fix the running game. He’s only 28 years old and still has some solid seasons ahead of him before he hits the inevitable wall that all running backs seem to hit in their 30s. But there will be cheaper options in free agency, and this year’s NFL Draft Class seems to be loaded with guys who might be able to step in next to White and be a lot less of a hit to the cap than Fournette would be.

Possible Landing Spots: Vikings, Panthers, Rams

Home/Bucs Free Agency