Tampa Bay releases former top-five pick Leonard Fournette to free up salary-cap space, and veteran Buccaneer Cameron Brate also follows to save $5 million in spending money.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially released running back Leonard Fournette and tight end Cameron Brate on Friday.
Fournette, 28, signed a three-year, $21 million extension before the 2022 season. He rushed for 668 yards and three touchdowns and had 73 receptions for 523 yards and three scores in 16 games (nine starts).
Fournette has rushed for 4,478 yards and 34 touchdowns and added 312 receptions for 2,219 yards and seven touchdowns in 79 career games (61 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Buccaneers.
He was selected by the Jaguars with the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft out of LSU.
Leonard Fournette has been officially released by the Tampa Bay Bucs and is a free agent.
The former LSU superstar began his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017.
The Buccaneers also released veteran tight end Cameron Brate to save salary cap space.
Fournette was supplanted by then-rookie Rachaad White as the starter in Week 10. His release before June 1 saves $3.5 million against the salary cap.
Cutting ties with the 31-year-old Brate reportedly frees up another $2 million in cap space.
An undrafted free agent out of Harvard in 2014, Brate spent parts of nine seasons with the Buccaneers.
He was limited to 20 catches for 174 yards in 11 games last season. He suffered a concussion in Week 4 and then was carried off the field on a stretcher with a neck injury in Week 7.
Brate totaled 273 receptions for 2,857 yards and 33 touchdowns in 126 career games with the Buccaneers.
The 31-year veteran’s last catch as a Buccaneer ended up being the last touchdown pass thrown in Tom Brady’s legendary career.
Brate seemed open to the idea of leaving after Tampa Bay was knocked out of the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys.
“I will look back on my time with the Bucs very fondly,” Brate said after the game. ‘It was incredible. An impressive trip. It has been great.’
Brate struggled with injuries this year and was sent off in Week 7 with a sprained neck.
He will always be remembered for catching the last touchdown pass of Tom Brady’s career.