Maurice Jones-Drew is preparing to hit the free agent market in March. The Jacksonville Jaguars have already announced they will allow the running to test his worth with other team before they consider re-signing him for 2014. After a few down seasons plagued by injuries, it is assumed Jones-Drew could have a hard time getting a favorable contract as a free agent, but could a return home be the best option for him?
San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis teased a possible homecoming for the running back. Davis posted a photo of himself and Jones-Drew on Instagram with the caption, "Me and Maurice Jones Drew discussing the FUTURE a few nights ago. #San Francisco." If anyone was wondering, there is no tampering rule involved with Instagram, so Davis should be in the clear on this one.
Jones-Drew is from the Bay Area, so a return to his roots could be an intriguing idea, but is certainly easier said than done. The 49ers have a starting running back in Frank Gore. However, he is an expensive roster spot at $6.45 million and San Francisco is struggling with their salary cap. With youth behind him, could Gore be a possible cap casualty this offseason?
"The simple answer is there's no reason it can't be," General manager Trent Baalke said, via ProFootballTalk.com. "We're in good shape from the cap's standpoint, so the decision on that [is] there's really no decision to be made. We can move forward exactly as is, if that's what we choose to do."
If Gore was released, Jones-Drew would likely gladly volunteer to take his place. The running back has hinted before that he will have to be flexible with his next salary considering he is currently 28 and coming off a few seasons of low numbers and foot injuries.
Behind Gore, Marcus Lattimore, Kendall Hunter and LaMichael James fill the role. Lattimore may or may not be ready to start the season after a serious leg injury that forced him to miss his entire rookie season. James' role with the team has been spotty, but head coach Jim Harbaugh has hinted it could increase. Gore handled 75 percent of the team's offensive snaps, but his contract is not favorable for the future.
Jones-Drew has not ruled out a return to Jacksonville. After averaging just 3.4 yards per carry last year, Jones-Drew is not ruling anything out for the upcoming 2014 season.
"There's always a chance," Jones-Drew said, via ESPN.com. "We haven't really talked up to this point yet. They want to let me go out and test the market a little bit, which I appreciate. We'll just go from there. It's a business at the end of the day. The Jaguars have to do what's best for that organization and I understand if they don't want to bring me back. If they feel there's someone better out there, that's their opinion."