The Jacksonville Jaguars star makes a little less than $5 million per year, which is much less than guys like Chris Johnson, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch, Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson, and DeAngelo Williams.
Jones-Drew signed a five-year, $31 million deal in 2009, but could use a new contract after several successful seasons with the team. MJD led the NFL in rushing last year with 1,606 yards, so he could deserve a reconstructed contract where he could make more money.
However, even with MJD wanting a deal now, Jaguars GM Gene Smith has made it clear now that he won't be getting one.
"Obviously, he has expressed that he would like to renegotiate and we have expressed again that we feel he has a contract with two years left that we expect him to fulfill those obligations," Smith old the Associated Press.
Jones-Drew has basically been the Jaguars' offense and is the only glaring player for people to look at as the offense overall has constant struggles when it comes to the passing game and the offensive line. However, Jones-Drew is sometimes able to hide that, already having nearly 7,000 rushing yards, 3,000 receiving yards, and 74 touchdown in six seasons.
Jones-Drew has skipped all of the team's off-season workouts. No one knows if he will skip the upcoming, three-day minicamp, which is mandatory. He could be fined up to $60,000 if he skips, and Smith supports that.
I think Jones-Drew definitely deserves more money. Although no one will ever be making Chris Johnson money anymore for a running back, he could at least get a contract at the likes of Arian Foster or Marshawn Lynch, which is around $8 million.
However, if nothing happens, I could see him holding out now at this moment. Smith's comments probably wants to make him do it even more.
Hopefully he gets what he wants, because he definitely deserves it.
Josh Dhani is the founder of FootBasket. He is also the editor of The Dugout Doctors and contributes at Hoops Authority and Eight Points Nine Seconds. You can read more about him at his website. Follow him on Twitter @joshdhani.
