JACKSONVILLE, Fla. _ The Jaguars are not picking up the fifth-year option on running back Leonard Fournette's rookie contract, a league source confirmed Friday.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report Fournette's contract status.
The Jaguars had until Monday to make a decision.
By declining Fournette's option, he will be in the final year of his rookie four-year, $27.1 million contract this upcoming season. He will become an unrestricted free agent in 2021.
Fournette, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft out of LSU, is scheduled to make $4.1 million this season. By declining his fifth-year option, the Jaguars are off the hook to pay Fournette $8.48 million for 2021.
Last week, Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell gave an emphatic 'no' response if they have had a conversation with Fournette's agent about him returning next season.
Fournette got a clean slate last season after rushing for just 439 yards in eight games in 2018, including an ejection for fighting during a game at Buffalo that led to a one-game suspension from the NFL.
In April 2019, Fournette was arrested for driving with a suspended license, but the case was dismissed when he was fined $303 after he pleaded no contest.
In 2018, Fournette had problems with showing up late and sleeping in meetings. It was evident near the end of the 2018 season, the Jaguars had run out of patience with Fournette.
After a season finale loss to the Houston Texans, former Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin sent out a terse statement through the franchise regarding the demeanor of Fournette and backup running back T.J. Yeldon while they were seated on the bench for nearly the entire game.
The Jaguars voided the remaining guarantees in Fournette's four-year contract following his suspension for fighting in the Buffalo game.
Fournette filed a grievance through the NFL Players Association.
Before the start of last season, coach Doug Marrone hired former LSU star and longtime NFL assistant Terry Robiskie, 65, as running backs coach to help Fournette make a turnaround.
Fournette finished last season ranked seventh in the league in rushing with 1,152 yards and three touchdowns. He averaged 4.3 yards per carry, playing in 15 of 16 games.
During last week's draft, the Jaguars reportedly reached out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ahead of their No. 76 overall pick in the third round to offer Fournette in a trade deal. Tampa Bay declined the offer and selected former Vanderbilt running back Ke' Shawn Vaughn.
"I don't know what the future holds, but I promise that every day I'm going to bust my ...," Fournette wrote on his Twitter account Tuesday. "I know it's a business, and I'll be ready at my best for the next season."
