Both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Maurice Jones-Drew have said they would like to continue their relationship, but it appears that might be easier said than done. The running back has finished out the final season of a four-year deal he earned back in 2010 and despite stressing he would like to stay with the team, the Jaguars are comfortable letting him test the free agent market.
Jones-Drew has seen his production drop as the heavy hitting of being an NFL running back is starting to take its toll. After playing just six games in 2012 thanks to a foot injury, he returned to run 803 yards in 2013 for five touchdowns, averaging just 3.4 yards a carry as the lead running back. Could his eight-year run with the team be coming to an end?
The Associated Press is reporting that Jones-Drew is seeking a long-term deal instead of a two-year, incentive-laden deal which is what the Jaguars are looking to give him. Jones-Drew is not yet 30. He had three-consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons while earning multiple trips to the Pro Bowl. However, a recent string of poor productivity has decreased his value. Jones-Drew has said he would prefer to remain with the team, but money will be a large factor in his decision.
"I want to be here," Jones-Drew said, via ESPN.com. "It's a fun environment. It's different than I've ever been a part of. It works. It takes time to build anything. It's starting to turn around for us, and we're starting to play well. That's exciting. I want to be a leader."
At one point general manager Dave Caldwell had sounded optimistic about the chances of getting the veteran running back signed to a new deal and letting him finish out his career in Jacksonville, but since negotiations have stalled, he is not as positive about the future.
Caldwell told reporters that he is not pessimistic about the entire situation, but they were certainly hoping negotiations would have taken a different turn. He believes Jones-Drew has earned the right to test the market and the team will consider matching any offer the running back is given.
So who could be the teams most interested in the veteran? The first on the list is the Cleveland Browns. The team opted to trade away top draft pick Trent Richardson in the middle of the season, leaving them with Willis McGahee. Jones-Drew might be considered an upgrade, but the Browns might not be willing to offer such a large contract.
The Oakland Raiders could be another option for the running back. They are likely to part ways with Darren McFadden in favor of Rashad Jennings, but Jones-Drew could be a reliable backup. Everything will come down to contract size. The veteran can ask Michael Turner how that long-term contract request worked out for him this year.
