New England Patriots: Leonard Fournette rumors running rampant

While other AFC teams are bolstering their passing attacks, the New England Patriots appear to be ramping up their ground attack.  At least, that would appear to be the direction the team is going in with their interest in top free agent running back Leonard Fournette.

With Damien Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson and James White already in the mix, Fournette’s visit to Foxborough certainly opened speculation as to what Bill Belichick may be up to.

It could be as simple as exploring options just kicking the tires on Fournette or, is it a sign that the team could move on from Harris, who is entering the final year of his rookie deal.

Is the New England Patriots interest in Leonard Fournette mean the end of Damien Harris?

That is the perspective shared by NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry, who during an appearance on Early Edition, shed some light on what the Fournette interest may mean.

"“Leonard Fournette is somebody that I know the Patriots have been interested in for some time,” Perry said, via NBC Sports Boston.  “He is viewed as an all-purpose back.  First, second, third down.  We know the number of passes he caught from Tom Brady last year, so maybe he’s familiar with some Patriots concepts that Brady might’ve brought down to Tampa Bay.“I think the other thing you have to consider is, if they do end up adding Fournette, you might be moving on from another running back.  I look at Damien Harris as somebody who was a 2019 draft pick, he’s going into the last year of his rookie contract.  You have a young running back who plays essentially the exact same role in Rhamondre Stevenson, and it worked out great between those two guys last year because you could mix and match and keep them both fresh.  But again, Harris in the last year of his deal, you have a young player at the same position, are you gonna keep both for the foreseeable future?”"

While Perry makes a good point here as far as Harris’ contract goes, does the team’s interest in Fournette necessary mean they already have their mind made up when it comes to the Alabama product who was a touchdown machine in 2021?

Want your voice heard? Join the Chowder And Champions team!

Write for us!

Or could Bill Belichick have something else up his sleeve?

With the team moving on from the traditional fullback, could a two or even three running back sets be in the team’s plans?  If they add Fournette, they will have three running backs in Harris, Stevenson and Fournette who would be duel threats, able to rush the ball or leak out in the flat on any given play.  Such a set behind Mac Jones would certainly open options on offense.  It would also give the Patriots depth at the position and keep all 3 running backs fresh.

In all, it would certainly open options on and off the field if Harris’ contract is really an issue moving forward.  But, in an offseason that has been underwhelming so far, the Patriots even entertaining the idea of Leonard Fournette is intriguing because suddenly the team would have a three-headed monster at running back with James White also in the mix.

It could very well lead to a Damien Harris trade, but not before the Belichick explores how it may look on the field.  If there are not enough snaps to go around, then one can go.

Maybe, just maybe, it is that simple.