MJD looks to take his talents elsewhere if deal not met
Maurice Jones-Drew, running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars, continues to hold out on his $31 million contract by not attending the team’s training camp prior to the 2012 season. Going into day 27 of his hold out, MJD says that he is open to trades.
Jones-Drew led the NFL last season with 1,606 yards rushing and feels as though he is underappreciated in Jacksonville. According to his agent, Adisa Bakari, MJD is upset with Jaguars owner Shad Khan’s comments regarding the running back’s training camp hold out.
Khan’s message to MJD is as simple as any tough loving parent’s reasoning with a headstrong child: “Train’s leaving the station. Run, get on it.”
The owner’s comments apparently left MJD in a sore spot with a statement coming from his agent saying, “Maurice wants to play for an organization that wants him and for an owner who respects him and values what he brings to a team—on the field, in the locker room and in the community.”
Khan and general manager Gene Smith have no plans to renegotiate a contract for MJD, not wanting to pay an additional sum to MJD’s already two remaining salary years.
MJD, who is scheduled to make $4.45 million in 2012 and $4.95 million in 2013, wants a new deal that would reflect his self-worth after leading the NFL last season in rushing yards. The problem is, management is not willing to abide by the running back’s requests.
So, much like a disgruntled teenager not happy with the size of her sweet sixteen, MJD has put himself on the trading block.
Since Jones-Drew remains the biggest proponent of Jaguars’ success, it would be wise for Khan and MJD to reach an agreement in the shortening weeks prior to the season’s start. After all, MJD has been the face of the struggling franchise and the only player on the team’s roster known outside small-market Jacksonville.
Who knows, if MJD throws a big enough tantrum, then he might just get his way. Either in a Jags jersey or not.
