BREAKING: Leonard Fournette Released By Jaguars
In a shocking move on Monday morning, the Jaguars release former 4th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft, running back Leonard Fournette. This comes just a day after the Jaguars also moved on from star edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue.
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Fournette is still only 25-years old and is coming off his most productive year in the NFL. In 2019, Fournette started 15 games for the Jaguars, the most of his career. In those 15 games, Fournette was able to put up 1,152 yards on the ground to go along with 3 touchdowns. He was also able to rack up 522 receiving yards throughout the season as a whole, by far the most of his young career.
The Jaguars finished 6-10 in 2019 and were once again picking inside the top 10 of the NFL Draft. While there were issues with the Jaguars and Fournette throughout his career, there was hopes that Gardner Minshew would have some help with him going into his sophomore year.
In May of 2020, the Jaguars declined Fournette’s 5th year option on his rookie contract. At that point, many around the NFL believed that the writing was on the wall that Fournette’s time in Jacksonville was close to an end. However, not many believed that the Jaguars would release Fournette with less than two weeks to go before the regular season begins, especially with no other answers at running back. In a statement from Jaguars Head Coach Doug Marron, he stated “At the end of the day, I’ve got to be able to field a team that gives us the best chance to win” via John Oehser.
The Jaguars will now move on with last years 5th round pick Ryuquell Armstead as the starter. at running back. Armstead saw very limited action in 2019. He finished the year with 108 rushing yards on 25 carries along with 144 receiving yards and two touchdowns before being placed on the Injured Reserve list. Armstead now looks to be the guy in Jacksonville. Also on the roster is veteran Chris Thompson and Devine Ozigbo.
It is hard to look at this Jaguars team and try to see what they are doing. Even before Fournette’s release, many around the league believed that the Jaguars were already deciding to tank on the year for a top quarterback in next years draft. This 2020 Jaguars team is such a shell of its 2017 self when the team reached the AFC Championship game. Since then, the Jaguars haves started 3 different quarterbacks to open the season, and have lost Allen Hurns, Marqis Lee, Mercedes Lewis, Corey Grant, Chris Ivory, TJ Yeldon, Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Jeremy Parnell, Patrick Omameh, and now Leonard Fournette on offense. Other than Myles Jack, everyone from that star defense is elsewhere. The Jaguars have lost star players such as AJ Bouye, Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, Dante Fowler, Yannick Ngakoue, Marcell Dareus, Malik Jackson, Telvin Smith, Paul Posluszny, Barry Church, Aaron Colvin, and Tashaun Gipson.
Do not expect the Jaguars to be very competitive in the AFC South again in 2020 and don’t be surprised if we see the Jaguars employing a different starting quarterback for the fourth year in a row in 2021.
Follow A.J. on twitter @age_lona
