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Maurice Jones-Drew's days with the Jacksonville Jaguars might not be limited to just 10 more games, as many have speculated. According to Michael DiRocco of ESPN, the team is "interested in bringing Jones-Drew back as long as it's not for big money."
Now the question that bears asking is: What exactly is "big money"? The biggest money Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell has decided to dish out was a two-year, $4.5 million deal to defensive tackle Roy Miller. That's probably not going to cut it for a three-time Pro Bowl running back, regardless of his lackluster production in 2013, after he concludes the five-year, $31 million deal he signed in 2009.
The Jaguars and Jones-Drew didn't see eye-to-eye on his value just a year ago when he held out for the entire 2012 offseason in the hopes of receiving a new contract. While that was a different front office in charge of the franchise, a season-ending foot injury in 2012 and poor production in 2013 haven't inspired much hope that he's worth a huge investment.
But the Jaguars are doubtfully the only the team that thinks as much. NFL running backs have short shelf lives and the market value of an eight-year veteran with multiple recent injuries and a sudden drop-off in production probably won't be very high.
If the Jaguars and their star running back can find a reasonable price to agree upon, the franchise's all-time leader in touchdowns might be around a few more years to add more.