The Chiefs, Ravens may steal Bengals free agent target running back, Leonard Fournette this season. According to Bleacher Report, after bringing Fournette for a visit, the Bengals won’t sign him to a new contract since the two sides couldn’t agree on a new deal. Cincinnati brought in cornerback free agent Xavien Howard but he leaves without a contract as well. Fournette seems to be attempting to make an NFL comeback despite having an unproductive 2023 season with the Buffalo Bills, recording 40 yards on 12 carries.
However, the year before that, he was a viable runner for the Buccaneers helping the team lead the Super Bowl with Tom Brady in the 2020-2021 campaign. It wasn’t too long ago that he was one of the better running backs in the league after helping the Jacksonville Jaguars dream of a playoff spot with Blake Bortles under center. Originally selected in the 2017 NFL Draft, the veteran could still be a formidable threat, especially in time for the postseason. He adopted the name “Playoff Lenny” since he’s stellar in his performances in the playoffs, so maybe he still has some juice to boost a roster.
Fournette was the most dangerous in the 2020 postseason, recording 300 yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry in four matchups. This helped Brady earn a ring in Tampa Bay proving he was still a reliable signal-caller without the New England Patriots. The Chiefs, Ravens could bring out the same postseason fire from Fournette so these two teams could bring him in for a visit and possibly sign him on a rental basis.
Source: #Bengals are not signing RB Leonard Fournette at this time, who also worked out for Cincinnati today. https://t.co/KnLv1dPn87 pic.twitter.com/SpfrnWE82T
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) November 11, 2024
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Chiefs, Ravens May Steal Bengals Free Agent Target Leonard Fournette
Help for Isiah Pacheco
The Kansas City Chiefs keep finding a way to win each week this regular season. After blocking a field goal, they extended their lead to 9-0. However, reports say Isiah Pacheco is close to returning and may practice soon. With the postseason around the corner, they could consider signing Fournette. Kareem Hunt got banged up in the process and has been slowing down after having a few consistent performances. This leaves journeyman Kareem Hunt and rookie Carson Steele holding the tide together but Hunt came back in the lineup that game but didn’t pounce much as far as yardage.
Fournette could be a viable option in this year’s playoffs as he’s fully healthy and doesn’t need to play at an excelling level. What the Chiefs may get out of him is making a few plays to keep moving the sticks. He is no superstar but his game-changing abilities in the postseason are dangerous and could be an efficient help for Patrick Mahomes who still has a questionable lineup in their passing game. They don’t want to rush putting Pacheco in so it would benefit signing Fournette for a year and let him walk elsewhere this upcoming offseason.
Playoff Insurance
The Baltimore Ravens offense has been able to compensate for the defense that’s been shredding apart each week. However, even though they have one of the best running backs out of Derrick Henry, they still have questions in their depth chart. Keaton Mitchell might be back but he’s one big hit away from another career-alternating injury. The Ravens may plan for bigger roles for players like Mitchell but they can’t rush him back in the groove. It might be safer to bring in an extra runner instead of a running back who is only dependable on the pass.
Justice Hill is reliable but he’s more explosive snagging in those passes from Lamar Jackson as a security blanket. Fournette might not bring in a ton of yardage like Henry but it’s an option out there since they want to keep him fresh for the postseason. He won’t start ahead of Mitchell but the Ravens should roll the dice and see how he could perform alongside Henry.
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