The New England Patriots may be the betting favorites to sign free agent running back Dalvin Cook, but that doesn’t mean that Bill Belichick and Co. aren’t going to do their due diligence elsewhere. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero reported that Leonard Fournette is working out Wednesday for the Patriots.
Veteran RB Leonard Fournette is working out today for the #Patriots, per sources.
Lombardi Lenny won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady in Tampa. Now Brady’s old team is taking a look. pic.twitter.com/NoODT948cq
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 19, 2023
The move to bring in Fournette isn’t all that surprising and it wouldn’t be shocking if the Patriots signed him either. What is surprising is the Patriots’ current running back room when considering just how many resources New England has allocated to that position in recent years.
And because of that, that drew a lot of reactions from those in the NFL world on social media:
This seems like a much likelier move for the Patriots than Dalvin Cook https://t.co/hMBhoBZDYK
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) July 19, 2023
This would be a typical Patriots move. https://t.co/rVS9svXkH8
— Michael Fabiano (@Michael_Fabiano) July 19, 2023
This makes much more sense now than it did when he visited last season. RB depth behind Rhamondre Stevenson is paramount. https://t.co/Z7eZ5Qg9xE
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) July 19, 2023
Fournette visited the Patriots as a free agent last offseason. They’ve appreciated his skill set for a while. If he signs, would be valuable depth. Can’t ask Rhamondre Stevenson to do everything for 17 games. https://t.co/AurZQQ7CMg
— Phil Perry (@PhilAPerry) July 19, 2023
The perfect addition to an offense looking to get slower and more plodding. https://t.co/2n99DkY4XI
— Mike Tanier (@MikeTanier) July 19, 2023
Can't wait for Lenny to get 30 carries over Rhamondre in the fantasy playoffs. It would be so Patriots. https://t.co/CfQzxcCrb5
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) July 19, 2023
Fournette has been linked to the Patriots a bunch of times over the past few years, including one previous visit. With little certainty behind Rhamondre Stevenson, they could use another proven RB.
Fournette struggled as a rusher last season but caught 73 passes. https://t.co/AgGIGRjwzx
— Zack Cox (@zm_cox) July 19, 2023
Interesting visit for the Patriots today. They could use another RB and another WR in the next couple weeks. https://t.co/SNTcZ72XDB
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) July 19, 2023
After Damien Harris departed for Buffalo in free agency, Rhamonde Stevenson assumed the starting backfield role. In addition to Stevenson, the Patriots list the likes of Ty Montgomery, Pierre Strong Jr., Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor as other options in the backfield.
If his career continues with the Patriots, it’s unlikely he’ll have the same role he did in Tampa Bay or with the Jacksonville Jaguars, for that matter. While he’s 28 years old, Fournette definitely has some juice left in the tank. Fournette recorded 1,191 yards from scrimmage with six total touchdowns in his final season in a Buccaneers uniform. Across three seasons in Tampa Bay, Forunette rushed for a total of 1.847 yards with 17 rushing touchdowns.
