Maurice Jones-Drew Ends Holdout, Reports To Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew Will Be Third-Down Back In Week 1

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey said Maurice Jones-Drew will play in the team's season opener against the Vikings, but as a third down option rather than the starting running back. Rashad Jennings will still get the start in Minnesota, but Mularkey didn't rule out the possibility of Jones-Drew getting most of the carries once he is 100 percent.

The third down back in Mularkey's system also gives the starter breaks on long drives, and if the Jaguars are going to be run-dominant, Jones-Drew is likely to have early opportunities to earn his spot back. Jones-Drew doesn't know how much he should expect to play.

Here's Mularkey:

"I think he's seen the history of this offense. People have been critical of it, rushing Michael Turner too much over 300 carries so he's going to get his carries. That's kind of been the history I've gone all the way back to Pittsburgh even with Jerome Bettis. We had Amos Zereoue. The feature back takes a lot of the carries," he said

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Maurice Jones-Drew 'Ready To Move On' After Contract Holdout

Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout is over and he says that he is "ready to move on", but there was a little bit more to be said before he could get back with the Jacksonville Jaguars and get ready for the season. Despite missing all of training camp and weeks of practice, Jones-Drew doesn't regret his holdout.

"I did something I felt was right," Jones-Drew said. "No one can tell me it was wrong."

That Jones-Drew is taking this approach now is no surprise. He is a very proud guy who was never going to apologize or pretend that he didn't think he deserved the new contract that he was holding out for.

But now that he is back with the team, Jones-Drew said he won't answer any more questions on his contract situation. He is going to focus on football and Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey doesn't sound like he will hold a grudge.

"I had a really good visit this morning with Maurice and I welcomed him in," said Mularkey. "It was good to finally speak face-to-face. I can tell he's ready to go, so we'll be working with him to get him up to speed as quickly as possible."

Now the Jaguars have a week to get Jones-Drew up to speed in a new offense with a second-year quarterback in Blaine Gabbert who needs to make a massive jump from last year and still questions at wide receiver. Maybe not right away, but the load will fall to Jones-Drew soon so it's a good thing the Jaguars have him back and both he and the team seem ready to move on.

You can follow along with Jones-Drew's return and everything on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country.

Maurice Jones-Drew Ends Holdout, Reports To Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew is back with his team after holding out for a new contract over the past 38 days. At least one of his teammates appears to be happy to see him:

Just shared some love with @jones_drew32in the locker room. Glad to see you back - Let's work brah!

— Rashad Jennings (@RashadJennings) September 2, 2012

Jones-Drew is going to need to work. Considering Mike Mularkey is able to fine him up to $30,000 a day - plus $60,000 for a three-day, mandatory minicamp -- Jones-Drew could be out $1.2 million this season. He is scheduled to make $4.45 million in 2012 and $4.95 million next year.

Here is some insight from Big Cat Country on Jones-Drew jumping right into the action:

During the preseason there was a three-day waiting period before a player could practice in full with pads, such as we saw when first-round pick Justin Blackmon finally signed his contract in the preseason. That rule goes away after the first preseason game, so it is no longer in effect. Jones-Drew will practice on Monday, in full, bearing he is in shape.

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Maurice Jones-Drew Expected In Camp Sunday, Per Reports

Maurice Jones-Drew will join the Jacksonville Jaguars, possibly as early as Sunday, after spending 38 days holding out for a new contract, a source tells Big Cat Country's Alfie Crow. ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting the same news.

From BCC:

According to the source, Jones-Drew was not going to report until the preseason was over if he was not going to get a new deal and now that the Jaguars have played their final preseason game, he will now report to the team and get his playbook. Jones-Drew will need to hit the playbook and begin learning the offense and blocking assignments if he wants to be ready for the season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey has said Rashad Jennings will be the starting running back in Week 1, since Jones-Drew hasn't been around all of the preseason, but it will be interesting to see how everything unfolds this week.

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Jaguars GM: Maurice Jones-Drew Is A Jaguar

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Gene Smith insisted to reporters on Wednesday that he has no intention of trading running back Maurice Jones-Drew despite the player's lengthy holdout, as Adam Stites of Big Cat Country writes. When asked what would happen if the holdout lasted another 10 weeks, Smith responded, "Maurice is a Jaguar."

While Jones-Drew's holdout drags into its 35th day, the Jaguars seem determined to get their star player back into the fold. Rumors have emerged that the running back wouldn't mind a trade, but he has publicly disputed that claim and the team seems utterly disinterested in making such a deal.

Last season, Jones-Drew was among the most prolific offensive players in the NFL, rushing 343 times for 1,606 yards. He also caught 43 passes for 374 yards, and totaled 11 touchdowns on the year. It's his third consecutive season with over 1,300 yards rushing, so the 27-year-old would obviously be in major demand.

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Jaguars Name Rashad Jennings Week 1 Starter

The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to appear ready to call Maurice Jones-Drew's holdout bluff: Even if the All-Pro back ends his holdout before the first week of the NFL regular season, head coach Mike Mularkey told the media they'll start Rashard Jennings over Jones-Drew.

"Again, Rashad Jennings is going in as the starter. I don’t know how that came out being any different," Mularkey said.

Mularkey was diplomatic regarding the situation, but was quick to praise Jennings, a back he calls "faster than you think." So far in the preseason, Jennings is averaging 4.9 yards a carry through three preseason games:

"I think he can be a really good football player. A really good back. From what I’ve seen on tape before I got here and what I’ve seen in person, I’d say we’ll be OK," Mularkey said.

Jennings is entering his fourth season in the league and third seeing time on the field, all with Jacksonville. The former Liberty University start has rushed for 661 yards, but missed the 2011 season on injured reserve after a knee injury and a concussion knocked him in last year's preseason.

Jones-Drew entered the 33rd day of his holdout from the Jags on Wednesday, having accrued over $1 million in team fines.

Maurice Jones-Drew Could Play In Week 1, Says Mike Mularkey

Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey remains optimistic for a possible return of his franchise running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who has been holding out in hopes of a new contract for just over a month. There's not much Mularkey can do about the contract negotiations and getting Jones-Drew back on the field is going be entirely up to Jones-Drew, but Mularkey says the running back could play in Week 1.

Here's Mularkey when asked if Jones-Drew could start the season:

"It depends on him. What kind of shape he's in. How fast he picks up the system. I'm not going to put him in a position where he has any chance to fail because in the long run, we all fail. I'm not going to expose him to failure. It's not going to happen. If he's ready and all those conditioning wise [things], and he picks it up immediately, the faster he can progress, yes. I don't know where we're at right now. I have no idea."

Read more on the Jaguars at Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay.

Maurice Jones-Drew's Price Tag Is Too Much For Jets, According To Report

The New York Jets reportedly are not interested in trading for Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew because they feel that the cost associated with making the move would be too high.

Related: Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB Thinks 'Things Are Going To Work Out'

Jones-Drew is holding out for a new deal from Jacksonville, and while the two sides have not been able to resolve their differences up to this point, the Jaguars say that they are not actively trying to trade the running back.

Jones-Drew ran for a career high 1,606 yards in 2011 and scored eight touchdowns on the ground. It was his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. The six-year NFL veteran has piled up 6,854 rushing yards over the course of his career.

Stick with this StoryStream for updates on the Maurice Jones-Drew holdout. For all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country. For additional Jets coverage, visit Gang Green Nation. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:

Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout: Jaguars RB Thinks 'Things Are Going To Work Out'

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew offered some thoughts on his contract holdout on Wednesday, saying he thinks "things are going to work out" with the Jaguars, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

The running back offered the comment during a chat about fantasy football. After admitting he drafts himself every year, MJD assured that, holdout aside, he remains worth drafting this year.

"I think things are going to work out," Jones-Drew said, an open-ended comment that doesn't indicate whether he thinks they will result in a trade or in his reporting to Jacksonville to play his seventh season for the Jaguars.

Jones-Drew has indicated that he would be open to a trade, but as reported earlier on Wednesday, the Jaguars are not "actively" trying to trade him. For his part, Jacksonville owner Shad Khan has taken something of a hard stance toward Jones-Drew.

Stick with this StoryStream for updates on the Maurice Jones-Drew holdout. For all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country. And don't miss SB Nation on YouTube:

Teams Are Calling But Jaguars Aren't 'Actively' Trying To Trade Maurice Jones-Drew

Other NFL teams are interested in acquiring Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew, but the Jaguars say they are not trying to trade him, according to a tweet by Ian Rapaport.

On the MJD saga... teams are calling #Jaguars & have been since the trade rumors began. Told Jags not "actively" trying to trade him

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 22, 2012

Maurice Jones-Drew is coming off a season where he rushed for an NFL-leading 1,606 yards with eight touchdowns. He still has two years left on a contract he signed back in 2009, when he replaced former Jaguar Fred Taylor as the featured back. Though he has been open to making amends with the team, he may not be ready for week one if he waits much longer.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Maurice Jones-Drew Open To Making Amends With Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew has been critical of the Jacksonville Jaguars owner and open to a trade to another team. However, while he has been less than thrilled with his team, he is open to mending that relationship, according to NFL.com.

"After speaking to his agent, Adisa Bakari, he’s also open to bridging what is becoming a more fractured relationship because of the comments of Khan, not only Tuesday, but late last week," said Wyche. "The issue is who is going to extend the olive branch if there is going to be a reparation, because Jones-Drew, he is further entrenched in his holdout — he does not like the situation, the fact that Khan is discussing publicly what was supposed to be handled in private."

With a little over two weeks until the Jaguars season begins, Jones-Drew would need to get into camp sooner rather than later to have any chance to start Week 1.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Train Derailed: Maurice Jones-Drew Headed For Disaster

Maurice Jones-Drew has been holding out and now he's reportedly open to a trade that he won't get.

Meme Watch: Maurice Jones-Drew Misses The Train

Maurice Jones-Drew Trade: Jaguars Not Likely To Deal RB

Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew said publicly on Thursday that he's open to being traded, though it's ultimately unlikely that Jones-Drew will be dealt.

Alfie Crow, editor of SB Nation Tampa Bay and co-manager of Big Cat Country, offered some thoughts on Jones-Drew's remarks -- and he doesn't believe that Jones-Drew will end up on another team's roster in 2012.

The problem with asking for a trade, is it's not likely going to change the stance of the Jaguars. Owner Shad Khan is a smart business man, and if he was not willing to cave on giving Jones-Drew a new deal, why would he cave and allow Jones-Drew out with a trade? Facilitating the trade over a contract dispute would be caving all the same as caving with a new contract. Not to mention the fact that Jones-Drew has absolutely no leverage whatsoever.

Unless the Jaguars are blown away by an offer, and even then, the likelihood of Jones-Drew being traded is slim.

Jones-Drew has two years left remaining on his current contract, which would pay him $9 million over those two seasons.

For the latest on all things Jacksonville Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country and join the discussion.

Maurice Jones-Drew Open To Being Traded, According To Report

Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew is open to being traded, following team owner Shad Khan's comments regarding Jones-Drew's holdout.

Commenting on Jones-Drew's holdout, Khan told the Florida Times-Union that the "train is leaving the station. Run, get on it."

Khan's comments irked Jones-Drew enough that he is now open to a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Jones-Drew's agent told the Associated Press that his client "wants to play for an organization that wants him, and for an owner that respects him, and values what he brings to a team, on the field, in the locker room, and in the community." The 2006 second-round draft pick still has two years remaining on his current contract, but is holding out for a richer deal that would give him more long-term security. Khan has remained steadfast in his stance, refusing to give Jones-Drew a new contract.

Jones-Drew has rushed for over 1,300 yards each of the last three seasons, and led the NFL in rushing yards in 2011, with 1,606.

For the latest on Jones-Drew and all things Jaguars, head over to Big Cat Country.

Shad Khan On Maurice Jones-Drew: 'Train Is Leaving The Station'

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan had a somewhat encouraging if not cryptic comment regarding holdout running back Maurice Jones-Drew on Tuesday afternoon:

Jags owner Shad Khan on Jones-Drew still being absent: "Train is leaving the station. Run, get on it."

— Eugene Frenette (@GeneFrenette) August 21, 2012

Jones-Drew has been a no-show for Jaguars activities since workouts in April, and Khan stated back in July that there were no plans to give the running back a new contract before the start of this season. Khan has also stated that the holdout is "not a great concern:"

"I've been involved in many kind of industrial business dealings," Khan said. "I've encountered strikes and violence. And if you don't handle that, you're not around to see them through.

"Believe me, on a zero-to-10 level of stress, this doesn't even move the needle."

Jones-Drew has two years remaining on his contract with the Jaguars, which would pay him $9 million over two seasons. The six-year veteran was the bulk of the team's offense last season, rushing for 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns, in addition to 374 yards receiving and three touchdowns.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop bySB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation'sdedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars Owner Not Worried About Maurice Jones-Drew Holdout

As Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew continues his holdout, one person who is not worried is Jags owner Shahid Khan.

Jones-Drew is set to make $9.5 million over each of the next two seasons after signing an extension in 2009. But one wonders how long MJD can sustain such a holdout, forfeiting $30,000 a day in fines for missing training camp. He has already racked up over $600,000 in fines.

Perhaps this is why first-year owner Shahid Khan, who is no stranger to labor disputes, doesn't seem too concerned, according to Michael Silver of Yahoo! Sports:

"He’s not here, and that’s his decision ... Believe me, it’s not a great concern. You hope for the best, and you plan for the worst. Our goals for the season don’t change, and if he isn’t here, he isn’t here. I don’t control it. It’s his choice."

Jones-Drew was the NFL's leading rusher last year with 1606 yards.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop bySB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation'sdedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars May Not Rush Maurice Jones-Drew Into Starting Lineup When He Returns

If Maurice Jones-Drew returns to the Jacksonville Jaguars this preseason, he won't be handed the starting job right away. Head coach Mike Mularkey said Jones-Drew will be eased back into the rotation once he returns, according to The Florida Times-Union.

"I think it would be a disservice to put him in if he was not fully prepared. It would be a health risk to do that. If he’s not prepared, it is not going to help us offensively and it’s not going to help our team if he’s not ready to go at full strength. I would never put our team in jeopardy of being in that position.’’

Rashad Jennings is slated to be the starting running back right now with Montell Owens as the backup.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Prepared To Take Holdout Through Training Camp, According To Report

There are reports that Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew will not be attending training camp in hopes of obtaining a new contract. Although the owner of the Jaguars has gone on the record as saying that there are no plans to revisit Jones' contract situation, it appears Jones-Drew is still prepared to hold out for as long as necessary.

Steve Wyche at NFL.com reports that Jones-Drew -- who did not report to camp on Thursday -- plans to sit out all of training camp, if not longer, in order to garner a new contract. Jones faces a $30,000 fine for each day of training camp that he misses.

Jones-Drew led the NFL last season with 1,606 rushing yards and believes he has earned a top-tier contract.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Won't Report To Jaguars Training Camp, According To Report

The Jacksonville Jaguars report for training camp on Thursday, but star running back Maurice Jones-Drew will not be there, according to a report by Adam Schefter of ESPN.

Jaguars now have their answer: Unhappy with his contract, RB Maurice Jones-Drew will not report to training camp today, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 26, 2012

The two sides have been squabbling over a new contract, which Jones-Drew is pressing for. The Jaguars, however, have dug in their heels and say they refuse to negotiate a new contract, as Jones-Drew still has two years remaining on the five-year, $31 million deal he signed prior to the 2009 NFL season.

Jones-Drew is seeing running back after running back cash in and sign new deals, and is looking for one more pay day after leading the league in rushing in 2011.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars Owner: No Plans To Give Maurice Jones-Drew New Contract

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't sure whether Maurice Jones-Drew will be showing up to the first day of training camp Thursday, but one thing they apparently won't do is cave in to his demands. Team owner Shahid Khan told the Jacksonville Times-Union that the Jags have no plans to give Jones-Drew a new contract before the start of the 2012 season.

“"There'’s no decision here,''’’ Khan said. “"It'’s his choice. There'’s been very little for us to do rather than wait on whatever he might choose to do."

Jones-Drew sat out the team's mandatory minicamp, and could be subject to a $30,000 per day fine if holds out of training camp. He has had no contact with head coach Mike Mularkey, and as of yet there has been no indication that the running back will be joining the team in the immediate future.

Jones-Drew has two years left on a five-year contract worth $31 million. He will be paid $9.4 million over the next two years, but after leading the NFL in rushing last season, he is looking for a deal more in line with the rest of the league's top rushers. Ray Rice and LeSean McCoy signed five-year contract extensions worth $40 million and $45 million, respectively, this offseason.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars Coach Unsure If Maurice Jones-Drew Will Show Up To Training Camp

Maurice Jones-Drew wants a new contract that pays him like one of the best running backs in the NFL, but it's unclear whether or not he's going to hold out to get it. Jones-Drew skipped the team's mandatory minicamp, leading to suspicions that he'd skip the start of training camp if that's what it took to get a new deal, but Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey isn't sure whether or not Jones-Drew is going to show up on Thursday for the start of camp.

Mularkey is doing a good job of pretending that Jones-Drew is just like any fringe player trying to make the team, and that he doesn't care whether or not his star running back shows up.

"Every player had to sign that they got the information in regards to training camp. Somebody signed at the (Jones-Drew) household we sent it to. Everybody is aware of when it starts, when they have to be here.''

In reality, Mularkey's offense is going to be hindered significantly if Jones-Drew decides to hold out, but admitting that isn't going to help his employer in negotiations with Jones-Drew.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Fred Taylor Thinks Maurice Jones-Drew Could Miss Start Of Camp

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has been looking for a new contract since the end of the 2011 NFL season, a season in which Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing on a team whose offense was one of the worst in the NFL. Jones-Drew has two years left on his contract, however, and the Jaguars have made it known they don't plan to renegotiate the deal.

Jones-Drew skipped out on the team's voluntary workouts and mandatory mini-camp, but it's not known yet if he will report to training camp on time.

Former Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, who took Jones-Drew under his wing as a rookie, thinks that Jones-Drew could miss the start of Jaguars training camp, which starts on July 26. On 1010XL in Jacksonville, Fla. on Thursday morning on Sports Final Radio, Taylor told radio host Jeff Prosser than he believes Jones-Drew will miss the start of training camp, in part because of "hurt pride."

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Wants To Keep Contract Talk Out Of The Media

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew did not attend his team's minicamp in mid-June, holding out in hopes of improving his chances of receiving a contract extension during the offseason. While Jones-Drew is still hoping to secure an extension (he has two years remaining on his current deal), he is also wants to keep these contract details and disputes out of the media as much as possible.

Brad Gagnon of Sports Radio Interviews transcribed a recent Jones-Drew interview with 102.3 ESPN in Denver, where the running back addressed the contract situation.

"It's the business side of football. And every player is a businessman, and whatever you feel is best for you and your family, you have to do that sometimes. And so, like I said before, hopefully we can work on something and get something done. But I can't talk about it in the media, because that's not how I handle my business. I'd rather do it face-to-face, and that's just what it is. It's the side that we don't like about the football game - it's not Pop Warner anymore, where it's just show up on Saturday mornings and have a good time. In the offseason, it's business. So that's just where we are right now."

Jaguars fans are likely hoping this will all get resolved sooner, rather than later.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, please visit Big Cat Country or stop by SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, stay tuned to SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Won't Attend Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp, According To Report

On Monday we wrote that Maurice Jones-Drew will face a decision in his quest for a new contract and on Tuesday that decision has reportedly been made. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jones-Drew will not show up for the Jacksonville Jaguars mandatory minicamp, which starts on Tuesday and runs through Thursday.

Jones-Drew has been seeking a new contract throughout the offseason. As recently as Monday, Jaguars GM Gene Smith made it clear that Jones-Drew would not be getting a new deal, saying they expect him to honor is contract. (Which is laughable considering Smith wouldn't hesitate cutting someone who was under contract.)

This could be turning into quite the stand-off. This week's mandatory minicamp is the last organized football action until training camp in late July. After this week the question becomes whether Jones-Drew will miss portions of training camp in order to secure a new deal.

Jones-Drew can expect a $10,000 fine for missing the first day, $20,000 on day two and $30,000 for missing a third consecutive day for a total of $60,000 in fines.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, visit SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Faces Decision With Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp

We will soon find out whether Maurice Jones-Drew is serious about getting a new contract from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jaguars mandatory minicamp starts on Tuesday and, as SB Nation's Big Cat Country points out, Jones-Drew can be fined heavily for missing mandatory minicamp.

Tuesday will tell us how serious Jones-Drew is about getting a new contract from the Jaguars considering he could be fined up to $60,000 for missing all three days. It's unclear at the moment whether Jones-Drew, who has two years remaining on his current contract, will show but what is clear is that the Jaguars have no plans to restructure his deal.

GM Gene Smith says to the Florida Times-Union:

"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 and we expect him to fulfill those obligations," Smith said.

The only source of leverage for Jones-Drew would be to hold out and accept the fines but that may not work if Smith is sincere in his claims that they will not re-do his contract.

On Tuesday we'll have the latest update in Jones-Drew's quest for a new deal.

For more on the Jacksonville Jaguars offseason, visit SB Nation's Jaguars blog Big Cat Country and SB Nation Tampa Bay. For more on the NFL in general, visit SB Nation's dedicated NFL hub.

Jaguars Say Maurice Jones-Drew Wants Contract Extension

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey revealed on Tuesday that the team's super star running back Maurice Jones-Drew was skipping offseason workouts in the hopes of landing a contract extension, reports Tania Ganguli of the Florida Times-Union.

Jones-Drew was not on hand for the team's OTAs on Tuesday and skipped veteran workouts prior to the draft. Some had speculated that a contract extension was at the heart of Jones-Drew's absence. Mularkey confirmed it for the first time.

Mularkey maintained a positive outlook in light of the situation, referring back to his experiences in Buffalo.

"I let little things I had no control over suck the energy out of me. I'm not going to let that happen this time around."

The Jaguars signed Jones-Drew to a five-year contract extension in April 2009 worth $30.95 million with $17.5 million guaranteed. Last season, he rushed for 1,606 yards and eight touchdowns. He also caught 43 passes for 374 yards and three touchdowns as the most viable contributor to Jacksonville's offense.

For more Jaguars coverage, check out Big Cat Country. For more NFL news and commentary, visit SB Nation's NFL hub.

Maurice Jones-Drew Among Those Missing From Jaguars Workouts

The Jacksonville Jaguars begin voluntary workouts on Tuesday, but running back Maurice Jones-Drew won't be there.