Two Former Top 4 Picks already on the Market For 2021 NFL Free Agency

Even though the 2020 season has yet to begin and we don't even know if it will take place, we already have two big names that will be on the free agency market once the 2021 free agency period opens. Both of these may seem very similiar in the fact that both were highly touted NFL prospects and former top four picks in the draft. The Chicago Bears have declined quarterback Mitchell Trubisky's fifth year option in 2021 and the Jacksonville Jaguars have declined running back Leonard Fournette's fifth year option for 2021 as well.

Chicago declining Trubisky's fifth year option isn't overly surprising. The Bears brought in Nick Foles from the Jaguars via trade and also restructured Foles's deal to help their cap space. Bears GM Ryan Pace said April 3rd, "We've increased competition at a critical position and we talked to both players, and the way we view this is it's an open competition, and credit to both those guys for embracing it." However this move appears as though Nick Foles will be the quarterback for Chicago, at least for the forseeable future as Foles is under contract with the team until the end of the 2021 season and there is an option for 2022 as well.

Leonard Fournette not returning to Jacksonville after this season was an expected move after the team has been actively looking to trade him. What's odd to me is that Fournette is coming off of his best season in the NFL with 1,152 rushing yards and 1,674 scrimage yards. He also led the Jaguars with 76 receptions, but was only one of three players to catch 50 or more passes with out a touchdown. One has to wonder if Fournette's off-field issues and his attitude have finally caught up to him. It's not doubt that is he a raw talent with the ability for sustained success in the NFL, but unless Jacksonville uses their franchise tag on him and it doesn't appear as they will, Fournette won't be a Jaguar in 2021.