The Jacksonville Jaguars are starting to turn their heads away form the 2013 season and are starting to focus on how to improve for the 2014 season.The Jaguars are currently sitting at 2-9 on the year and are in a race to earn the No. 1 overall draft pick. The rebuilding days are getting ready to be in full swing for the team and after trade rumors surrounded him for most of the season, Maurice Jones Drew could be a part of the team in 2014.
The running back's best days appear to be behind him, but that is not stopping the Jaguars for considering allowing the veteran to finish out his career with the same team it started with. Jones Drew has not rushed for over 1,000 yards since 2011 and recent injuries have his future in question. This season, Jones Drew has just 539 yards and five touchdowns as the lead back, averaging 3.2 yards per carry. Last season, he only put up 414 yards has foot injuries held him back.
In a recent interview with a local Jacksonville sports radio station, general manager David Caldwell spoke on the future of Jones Drew. Trade rumors were swirling around the running back prior to the NFL deadline approaching. Jones Drew is currently playing out the final games in a five-year contract, but Caldwell is optimistic about the idea of giving him an extension.
Caldwell said it was a "realistic possibility" that Jones Drew finishes out his career with the Jaguars. This has to be welcomed news to the veteran as the market for aging running backs is extremely weak. Just ask Michael Turner how things are working out after the Atlanta Falcons opted to not re-sign him. Jones Drew will turn 29 by the time next season approaches and considering he is averaging just three yards a carry.
His best option wold be to re-sign with Jacksonville and be a veteran presence on the reshaping of the roster. He will likely take a significant pay cut because the Jaguars are not going to invest money in an aging veteran. The issue will be whether or not Jones Drew wants to finish out his final years with a contending team. The Jaguars are still years away from making that happen.
