TAMPA, Fla. _ No team in the NFL is in a win-now mode ? and we mean right now ? more than the Bucs.
There's not a ton of sand left in the hourglass for 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady. That's why the Bucs traded for tight end Rob Gronkowski and talked him out of retirement. It's also why they signed 32-year-old running back LeSean McCoy. It's why 34-year-old center A.Q. Shipley was signed to provide depth on the offensive line.
So when the Jaguars released running back Leonard Fournette and he cleared waivers, it's not surprising that the Bucs have popped up among the possible suitors.
Multiple reports say Tampa Bay and New England are pursuing Fournette, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated said the Bucs were a "serious suitor" for Fournette, and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network said they are "making a push to sign" the No. 4 overall pick in 2017 out of LSU.
On the surface, it makes some sense. The 6-foot, 228-pound Fournette is only 25 and an established No. 1 running back.
Since he cleared waivers, he can negotiate a new contract and might consider a one-year-prove-it deal with a chance to join a Super Bowl contender.
The Bucs' top running back is Ronald Jones, a 2018 second-round pick from Southern Cal who had a disastrous rookie season but rebounded to rush for 724 yards and six touchdowns last year.
Jones has improved as a receiver and pass blocker, but he is far from a finished product. McCoy is currently the No. 2 running back who can provide experienced depth and good hands as a receiver out of the backfield.
However, neither Jones nor McCoy play special teams. That role belongs to third-down back Dare Ogunbowale, who was a special teams captain last season and too valuable this close to the season to part with. The final spot likely will go to rookie Ke'Shawn Vaughn, a third-round pick out of Vanderbilt who has struggled in training camp.
The Bucs have virtually no salary cap room for 2020, so they would have to renegotiate some contracts to make room for Fournette.
