Leonard Fournette will not likely make it to the Chicago Bears through waivers
When it comes to the release of Leonard Fournette, it is not like teams can call his agent and work out a deal immediately. Fournette has only played three seasons in the NFL and therefore he will be added to the waiver wire opposed to becoming a restricted free agent. This means that the Chicago Bears find themselves as the 19th team in the process to be able to claim Fournette.
If Pace decides to place a claim on Fournette, he would have to clear 18 other teams before the Bears would be awarded the somewhat proven veteran. Although the fit would be ideal since his style is different than David Montgomery’s, I just do not see the Bears claiming him or even if they do, actually winning him off waivers.
Looking at the teams ahead of Chicago, I could see Washington claiming him after they released Derrius Guice for his off-the-field issues. Other teams that would make sense include the Chargers, Bucs, Dolphins or even the Jets who tried trading for Kalen Ballage but the trade fell through as Ballage could not pass his physical.
Did the Jets fail Ballage on purpose once they heard Fournette might be available? Rumors are the Jaguars could not sell Fournette off for even a sixth-round pick. So wouldn’t have the Jets offered the same deal to the Jaguars as they did the Dolphins? Maybe the rumors from the Jaguars are not entirely accurate? Either way, the Jets could look to add Fournette even with Le’Veon Bell as the lead back.
Looking at all of these teams, the Bears too look like an ideal landing spot. Will Pace make a claim? Probably not.