Maurice Jones-Drew Trade: Jaguars RB Can Ask, Won't Likely Receive

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew has put it out publicly that he is "open to a trade," which is just the nice public relations way of demanding a trade. While many Jaguars fans will now publicly decree "trade him," it's not likely going to happen.

The Jaguars and Jones-Drew are in the spot they're in because owner Shad Khan does not want to give in to his new contract demands and set a precedent of ripping up a contract with two years remaining. Jones-Drew signed a five-year, $30.5 million deal with $17.5 million guaranteed prior to the 2009 NFL season, before he became the Jaguars full time back.

Now Jones-Drew wants a new deal, for leading the league in rushing on one of the worst offenses in the league and because other backs around him, including other players repped by his agent, are getting big time deals. Now that the Jaguars have made it totally clear they will not cave to his demands, he's asking for a trade.

The problem with asking for a trade, is it's not likely going to change the stand 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 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.

The Jaguars offense has hummed along just fine in the preseason without him, as backup running back Rashad Jennings has run the football just fine. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert looks much improved passing the football. The Jaguars also have plenty of salary cap room to eat the salary if need be, and if Jones-Drew does not report by Week 10 of the regular season he won't accrue a league year, meaning the year won't count on his contract.

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