Report: Fournette signing with Buccaneers

Free-agent running back Leonard Fournette has an agreement in principle to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a one-year deal worth $3.5 million, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.

Fournette took to Twitter to confirm the signing.

Fournette was reportedly drawing interest from Tampa Bay and the New England Patriots earlier Wednesday after being released by the Jacksonville Jaguars Monday.

The former 2017 fourth overall pick is the latest marquee player to join the Buccaneers after Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay in free agency, and Rob Gronkowski followed via trade. However, he joins a crowded backfield with fellow offseason signee LeSean McCoy, 2018 second-round pick Ronald Jones, and 2020 third-round pick Ke'Shawn Vaughn.

With the additions of Fournette, McCoy, and Vaughn, Tampa is making a concerted effort to improve a running game that ranked 24th in 2019. The Bucs struggled to have a balanced attack despite ranking first in pass offense and third in total offense. Jones led the team with 724 yards, and he shared a team-leading six rushing scores apiece with veteran Peyton Barber, who was let go in free agency.

Fournette had a career-high 1,152 yards and 4.3 yards per carry for the 6-10 Jaguars last season, but he found the end zone just three times - his lowest total in his three-year career.

The former LSU star often clashed with the Jaguars' front office. They declined his fifth-year option and released the 25-year-old entering the last year of his rookie contract. The Jaguars tried shopping Fournette, but head coach Doug Marrone said the team couldn't even get a fifth- or sixth-round pick for the three-year pro.

The Bucs entered the day with little more than $2 million in cap space, but with roster cuts looming Saturday, expect Tampa to make some decisions to fit Fournette into the budget.