Jaguars Decline Star Running Back Leonard Fournette’s 5th-Year Option

The Jacksonville Jaguars declined the fifth-year option for the 2021 season on Leonard Fournette’s contract, this week.

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The move comes as no surprise. The Jags have been trying to trade Fournette for the last month, according to reports from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. 

Coming off a career-year, Fournette will be paid $4.168 million by the Jags in 2020 and become a free agent immediately afterward.

In 2019, the former fourth overall pick rushed for 1,152 rushing yards and caught 76 passes. In total, he gained 1,674 yards from scrimmage, which ranked sixth in the league.

Moving on from Fournette will continue rising uncertainty in the Jaguars offense. The running-back recently suggested the team move on from quarterback Gardner Minshew and sign Cam Newton: “Cam went to the Super Bowl. He’s a great guy. I’ve been knowing Cam for a minute now. And like I told some people that talked to me, it’s no disrespect to [Gardner Minshew]. I’m just trying to get in the best position as a team as we can [to] win,” Fournette said during an appearance on ESPN’s First Take. “That’s all that was about. Just friendly competition ’cause that brings out the best in people.”

The Jaguars went 6-10 in 2019.

[Via]