The Kansas City Chiefs had some unfortunate drama unfold with former running back Kareem Hunt near the end of the 2018 season. Why then, would they opt to add another dramatic running back in Leonard Fournette?
Any time a talented player is expected to hit the open market, Kansas City Chiefs fans always speculate whether or not their team should go after that guy in the offseason. This go around, that guy is Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette.
Monday was an interesting day in the NFL world, as news started to circulate that Jacksonville had voided the guarantees in Fournette’s contract. This came after a report that Fournette and fellow running back T.J. Yeldon were disinterested in the regular season finale against the Houston Texans.
The Chiefs seemingly had a good situation with Kareem Hunt as their running back, but continuous behavioral issues off the field led to Hunt’s dismissal with the team. Fournette’s issue appears to be more with the team (attitude issues mainly) and it sure looks like Jacksonville is ready to move on from him.
Jaguars reportedly inform Leonard Fournette that they'll void his remaining guarantees, based on his one-game suspension https://t.co/4JBDktZFRW
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) December 31, 2018
Fournette, the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, set the world on fire as a rookie in that 2017 season, rushing for 1,040 yards and nine touchdowns while also catching 302 yards and a touchdown.
More from Kansas City Chiefs
- How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
- The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule
- DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
- Fan-Favorite Locks Up Chiefs Roster Spot With Stellar Preseason Performance
- DraftKings NFL Kansas Promo: Bet $5 on Chiefs vs. Saints, Win $150 Bonus!
His follow-up season has been a major disappointment. Fournette had just 439 yards and five touchdowns in eight starts with four of those five touchdowns coming between weeks ten and 12.
Between suspensions and injuries, Fournette hasn’t been on the gridiron much this year, so it’s no surprise that Jacksonville would be okay with parting ways with the former LSU running back.
With all of the drama Fournette has had during his short time in the league, why would the Kansas City Chiefs want to deal with that? They have a decent situation right now despite what happened, as Damien Williams has stepped in and done a nice job. The Chiefs even gave him a two-year extension, proving the sentiment that they believe in him moving forward.
If I’m Brett Veach, I go into 2019 with Williams being the presumed starter, but also drafting a running back late in the process. We’ve seen late round draft picks make their presence known in the pros now and that means it’s not necessary to spend a first round pick on a running back anymore.
Leonard Fournette is a talented running back, but between injuries, attitude problems, and the Chiefs not being in a bad spot at the position, there’s no need to bring him to Kansas City.