Loading ...The New York Jets are not negotiating with the Jacksonville Jaguars about running back Maurice Jones-Drew, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The price tag is ultimately too high, with the Jaguars looking for players and draft picks, plus the Jets would need to satisfy the contract demands of Maurice Jones-Drew. Maurice Jones-Drew is an elite running back, but given the value placed on running backs and the place the Jets are in financially the move doesn't make sense at this point.
The New York Jets were reportedly one of the teams to reach out to the Jacksonville Jaguars about Maurice Jones-Drew, but are not interested due to the price tag that is attached. The Jets would have to send players and draft picks to the Jaguars for Jacksonville to agree to a deal first. After that, the team would have to make Maurice Jones-Drew happy with a new contract.
The Jets can't afford to do that, especially at the running back position. The team has money earmarked for other more valuable commodities, such as cornerback Darrelle Revis. Tying up money in a position like running back, which has become devalued recently given the backfield by committee approach prevalent around the NFL, just doesn't make sense for a team that has other financial priorities.
Back when there was talk about potentially trading up for Trent Richardson in the 2012 NFL Draft, we posted an article explaining why it wouldn't make sense. The points made in that article hold true in this situation as well. Maurice Jones-Drew is an excellent running back who would definitely help the Jets. The fit just isn't there in terms of making the deal and giving him the contract he wants.
A superstar running back is great, but no running back fixes a struggling offensive line. The Jets still need to improve up front before a running back becomes what pushes this offense over the top. Maurice Jones-Drew is an exciting player, but this is his seventh season in the NFL. He has some years left in the tank, but it's not the time for the Jets to be trading into a big money, long-term contract for a running back.
There is no quick fix. Throwing Maurice Jones-Drew into the backfield doesn't solve the ills of the Jets offense. The Jets need to clean things up internally and address other issues, not trade away assets and get tied up in a monster contract for a running back.
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