NFL Rumors: Leonard Fournette Challenges Jaguars' Voiding of Guaranteed Money

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette has reportedly filed a formal challenge to the team's effort to void over $7 million in guaranteed money from his four-year, $27.2 million contract.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Thursday that an arbitrator will likely make a final ruling in the case, with the Jags attempting to alter the deal based on the running back's one-game suspension for a fight during a November game against the Buffalo Bills.

Jaguars executive vice president of football operations Tom Coughlin released a statement criticizing the sideline demeanor of Fournette and fellow running back T.J. Yeldon during the team's Week 17 loss to the Houston Texans.

"I am disappointed in the behavior today from T.J. Yeldon and Leonard Fournette," Coughlin said. "They were disrespectful, selfish and their behavior was unbecoming that of a professional football player."

The 20-3 loss capped a disappointing 5-11 campaign for Jacksonville, which posted a 10-6 record and advanced to the AFC Championship Game last season.

Fournette appeared in just eight contests because of the suspension and injury issues. He struggled to produce when active, averaging just 3.3 yards per carry across 133 attempts.

Those struggles paired with Coughlin's comments raised questions about whether the Jags would look to move on from the fourth overall pick in the 2017 NFL draft in the offseason.

But Jacksonville head coach Doug Marrone said Wednesday he recently met with Fournette and came away with a positive outlook.

"I had a meeting with Leonard—I wanna say last week," Marrone told reporters. "We had a good meeting. I'm not going to speak for Leonard, but when he left that meeting ... I think he's in a really good place. That's encouraging and I'm excited about that."

That said, the battle over guaranteed money could once again sour the relationship between the Jags and Fournette, who has two years left on his rookie contract.