Jaguars void Leonard Fournette’s guarantees, per report

The Jacksonville Jaguars have notified Leonard Fournette they are voiding the remaining guarantees in the former fourth overall pick’s contract, according to a report by the Associated Press.

A person familiar with the situation says the Jacksonville Jaguars have notified running back Leonard Fournette that his suspension late last month voided the remaining guarantees in his four-year rookie contract.

Earlier in the day Jaguars VP of Football Operations Tom Coughlin released a scathing statement about Fournette and running back T.J. Yeldon for sitting on the bench while the Jaguars were on offense and looking completely disinterested in the game.

The AP report also states that the Jaguars made this decision and notified Fournette a few weeks ago, likely shortly after his one-game suspension for fighting against the Buffalo Bills. The Jaguars running back has had a disappointing start to his career, averging under 4.0 yards per carry his rookie year, though he did have a nose for the endzone.

For the 2018 season however, Fournette played in less than 30 percent of the Jaguars offensive snaps, mostly due to missing eight games due to a suspension and injuries. There has been growing belief as the season has gone on that the Jaguars have grown tired of Fournette’s attitude and work ethic, and this would just seem to further that idea.

It now seems very possible that the Jaguars could be parting ways with Fournette this offseason, not having any dead money on the cap if they decided to outright release him, though voiding the guarantees could actually make him more of an attractive trade option, especially if the Jaguars are looking to trade up in the 2019 NFL Draft in search of a new quarterback.

Fournette can appeal this decision if he chooses.