New Jaguars owner Shad Khan has not relented to running back Maurice Jones-Drew's request for a new contract. The running back is now looking for trade options.
Jones-Drew has two years remaining on a contract he signed in 2009. At the time of that signing, he was about to become the featured back, replacing veteran Fred Taylor who signed with the New England Patriots. Since signing the contract, Jones-Drew has rushed for over 1,300 yards each season culminating with last year's league-leading 1,606 yards as the starting running back.
Jones-Drew has held out all summer looking for a new contract that would reflect his status as one of the top running backs in the game. Khan doesn't want to set a precedent for paying a player with more than one year remaining on their contract.
Because of this holdout, fan support of Jones-Drew has been dwindling. He's losing leverage in negotiations and is eligible for $30,000 in fines for each day of training camp missed. Joel Thorman of SB Nation also addresses the possibility that he may sit out the entire season.
If he doesn't show up this season, his contract will just reset to next year, which would put him in the exact same situation ... only a year older. The Jaguars seemingly haven't even blinked without him.
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