Fresh deal talks linger on as Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew skips workout-NFL News
It is not new for Jacksonville Jaguars’ pro bowl running back star, Maurice Jones-Drew, to skip the team’s workout activity but this year his absence is notable given it is due to the player’s pressing contract cause.
Drew has gone more open about the demand of a long-term and most probably an expensive deal from Jaguars, which in spite of continued negotiations is yet to have a breakthrough.
The player is set to earn $4.5 million this season, which is lesser to the amount his counterparts from other teams like Marshawn Lynch, Arian Foster and Chris Johnson are earning.
Maurice has two years left on his current $39 million contract. He has demanded a fresh deal form Jaguars with better benefits and pay rise.
Both stakeholders are said to have agreed on working out a new deal, and the player’s agent has been negotiating fresh terms with Jaguars’ managers. So far, no progress has been reported.
The delay in reaching an agreement on fresh terms has apparently frustrated the player and he has decided to sit out the team’s workout, started on Tuesday, May 15, as a protest.
However, it is not new for the player to skip the team’s activity, irrespective of the fact that this time around he has a different reason to do that.
Jones-Drew is known for working on his health and fitness through individual efforts in his hometown in California, and often the player is hundred percent on his fitness. So, remaining in shape should not be a matter of concern either for him or his team.
Also, given that the ongoing workout is a voluntary activity, no offence is taken from the absence of the player.
This is the reason that there is no comment from Jaguars’ officials on the player’s absence, but still the team was said to be keen on having him in the squad to get to know his new coach, other officials and above them, the owner, Shahid Khan.
It is the first opportunity for head coach, Mike Mularkey to supervise the team activity since his arrival in Jacksonville in January this year. Some of his junior staff and other front office officials are new to the team as well.
So the decision to skip or join the activity is down to the player and therefore no one else seems to be much bothered about his choice.
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