Report: Leonard Fournette in 'best shape of his career' while looking for new NFL team

Leonard Fournette is not done yet as he is reportedly in the best shape of his career, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“Free-agent RB Leonard Fournette is motivated to continue his NFL career, intends to sign with a team before the season, and has hired his former agent Ari Nissim, and Pat Capra … to help in that pursuit,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. “‘Leonard’s in the best shape of his career and I expect he will have a new home soon,’ Nissim said.”

Fournette played in just two games for the Buffalo Bills last season, carrying the ball 12 times for 40 yards. It was a stark contrast to 2022, when he played a career-high 16 games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

A Super Bowl champion with the Bucs in 2020, Fournette was one of the best running back prospects coming out of college. The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Fournette with the No. 4 pick in 2017.

Leonard Fournette NFL comeback bound?

Over the course of his career, Fournette has 4,498 yards, 34 touchdowns, four yards per carry, 312 catches, 2,219 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.

In recent years, Fournette had adopted the nickname “Playoff Lenny” for his stellar performances in the postseason. He was particularly dangerous during the 2020 playoffs, when he rushed for 300 yards and three touchdowns on 4.7 yards per carry in four games. That helped the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory.

While he hasn’t put up Hall of Fame numbers in the pros, there’s no doubt Fournette’s been effective when healthy.

In three years at LSU, he was nearly unstoppable while on the field. Fournette finished his college career with 616 carries for 3,830 yards, 40 touchdowns, 6.2 yards per carry, 40 catches, 482 receiving yards and one touchdown reception.

As a member of the Class of 2014, Fournette was a five-star recruit out of New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 1 overall prospect in the state, the No. 1 running back in the class and the No. 2 overall prospect in the class.