Jaguars will let Maurice Jones-Drew test free agency

The Jacksonville Jaguars are prepared to let running back Maurice Jones-Drew test free agency, according to Mark Long.

Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell says RB @Jones_Drew32 has earned the right to go to free agency

— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) December 31, 2013

Jones-Drew has not been the same player over the last few seasons, perhaps beginning to show his age, 28, a little bit. The franchise's record holder for rushing yards with 8.071, only averaged 3.4 yards per carry in 2013, the first time that number dipped below 4.0 in his eight-year career.

If Jones-Drew doesn't return, it would leave a leadership void on the offensive side of the ball, especially with longtime center Brad Meester retiring as well. His departure would also give Jacksonville another hole to fill in an offseason geared toward improving both sides of the ball through drafting and free agency.

The last time Jones-Drew reached the 1,000-yard plateau was back in 2011, hitting a career-high of 1,606 yards on 4.7 yards per rush.

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