Patriots look for RB help, Super Bowl experience with latest workout

Leonard Fournette was let go by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the end of February after (according to the running back) he requested the release and said there was "no bad blood" between him and the team. Fournette also said that Tom Brady's February retirement influenced his decision.

The former No. 4 overall pick re-signed with the Bucs in March 2022 on a three-year contract and appeared in a career-high 16 games last season. Fournette had his most rushing attempts (189) since 2019 but recorded only 668 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns on 3.5 yards per carry.

Though his three-year tenure with Tampa Bay ended in disappointment and underperformance, the LSU product will long be remembered by Buccaneers fans for helping lead the Bucs in their Super Bowl LV title run. It was that winter when Fournette earned the nickname "Playoff Lenny."

More recently, the former Jacksonville Jaguar has been in the news after his black Dodge caught fire in late June on a Florida highway. It was reported last week that a witness to the event said Fournette was speeding and racing a motorcyclist beforehand, according to a police report.

The free agent gave a different account though, reportedly telling police officers that he'd been having issues with the vehicle. A Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson told TMZ Sports that officers didn't have enough information to move forward with an investigation, saying, "No further action is expected at this point."

On the field, the Patriots could use a talent like Fournette, despite the down 2022 campaign.

Head coach Bill Belichick has a young roster, particularly on offense, and there isn't much running back depth behind 25-year-old starter Rhamondre Stevenson. The projected backup is 2022 fourth-round pick Pierre Strong, as former first-stringer Damien Harris joined the division-rival Buffalo Bills in March.

Fournette wouldn't need to be an every-down back in the New England offense, but the playoff experience and ability to spell Stevenson when he needs a rest could be valuable as the Patriots look to bounce back from an inconsistent 2022 season.