'Out of Shape'? Why Didn't Patriots Sign Leonard Fournette?

In the never-ever ending saga of the New England Patriots' mid-summer rushing quandary, they seemed keen on adding Leonard Fournette but wound up passing on Tom Brady's Tampa teammate.

With MLB's trade deadline looming, a certain team associated with Boston is looking to add to its arsenal.

The New England Patriots' mid-summer quest for a running back continues with former Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook assuming the role of the main protagonist. Cook visited the AFC East rival New York Jets over the weekend and rumor has it a trek up to Foxborough may be next. That hyopothetical hosting would come after the Patriots previously brought in former Dallas Cowboy Ezekiel Elliott.

New England previously had its eyes on Leonard Fournette, who spent the past three seasons with Tom Brady during his final NFL years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Like several other high-profile rushers, Fournette lingers on the free agency ledger with training camp in session. The Patriots brought Fournette in for a workout but he quietly fell off the team's radar shortly after.

Nearly two weeks after Forunette's workout, Patriots.com writer Paul Perillo disclosed why no headway on a contract was made between the two sides.

“I’ve had a couple of people tell me he wasn’t in the best of shape,” Perillo said during an appearance on WBZ-FM.

While Fournette was a consistent contributor for Tampa Bay during the Brady era, he averaged only 3.5 yards a career last season, his worst since an injury-riddled sophomore season with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He eventually lost the starting rushing duties to Rachaad White and was released by the Buccaneers in March.

With Fournette apparently out of the question, New England will likely continue to do its due diligence on Cook and/or Elliott. The Patriots likely look forward to another four-digit rushing yardage season from Rhamondre Stevenson but with Ty Montgomery already nursing an injury and the team eager to remove any burden it can from embattled franchise quarterback Mac Jones, adding one of the lauded rushers seems more and more likely. 

For the time being, however, it doesn't look like they'll be inviting back Fournette, a victim of the Patriots' AFC title game victory over Jacksonville after the 2017 season.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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