Ummm you do realize MJD's contract is not guaranteed. The Jags can terminate the contract anytime they want. If a player has out perform their contract they holdout. If they underperform the team cuts them. Thats the NFL. If im Jax, I'm bringing MJD in. Gabbert needs all the help he can get.

I've got a question for you Mparas1432: Let's say you work a normal 9 to 5, nothing out of the ordinary, you go to work everyday and work with a whoooooole bunch of people. Let's say that within the confines of your profession, you are exceptionally talented and productive at what you do. You go above and beyond what is asked of you, you bust your hump, you stay late, and you produce for your company that you work for. Let's say you work with some coworkers who are also very good at what they do, but you don't think they are as good as you...and they get paid more than you. How would that make you feel?

Obviously, the picture that I just painted isn't the most defined example of what the MJD saga represents, but you get my point. Here is something that everyone fails to understand about professional sports: it is a BUSINESS. In this business, just like every other business, people get raises, bonuses, perks, etc. When people get denied raises or promotions, what is one of the most common things that they do? They quit and find a better job that pays them more. Does this sound relative to what MJD is going through at all? Yep, because just like every other company, the NFL is a........BUSINESSSSS!!!!

Now that I am done taking the time to explain the obvious, on to the contract dispute. Maurice has been one of the most consistent rushers in the NFL for the past 3 years, finishing last year as the leader in rushing yards and has been in the top 5 in rushing for the past 3 seasons, yet he isn't being paid like a man who is one of the best in the game. He is 27, plays on a mediocre team, and does more than that team could possibly ask of him every sunday. Despite the fact he has two years left on his deal, he deserves a raise and everyone knows it, including Mr.Khan. He doesn't want to spend big money on one player, especially a star runner who is closer to 30 than he is 20, when the team can barely sniff a .500 record and I understand his feelings from a business standpoint but when it comes down to paying your players appropriately, #32 deserves a substantial raise.

Forget about MJD personally, how do you think the rest of the team is gonna feel when they know that they are without their best player and are going to sit in the bottom of the division all year long? How do you think Blaine Gabbert is going to fare without him? How do you expect the passing game to improve when they won't have a running game to support it? How do you expect your defense to stay off of the field when the offense is going 3 and out on every other drive?

This isn't rocket science, but unfortunately there are a lot of personalities involved and anytime there is a dilemma involving money, professional athletes, and owners...it can get ugly. Do the right thing Jacksonville, give the man a raise. After all, who is gonna buy your tickets when there isn't a single star on the field?

I hate when people use the whole "well he signed the contract reasoning" as to why a player should hold out. If the opposite happens and he underperforms his contract the team has no problem at all cutting him. The NFL players are screwed by that situation and at some point need some built in assurances for when sign a contract and then produce even better than expected.

mjd is one of the best, he accounted for 47% of the jags plays last year. but the nfl is a business, for everyone involved. it would be unwise for the jags to give in, because as the owner said, it sets a precedent, and just look at what happened with chris johnson after he signed his legendary deal, theres no guaruntees. it is a win-win for mjd however, like Mparas1432 said. he either gets money from jax or gets to go to a better team that will give him money; although he does say hed like to stay in jax for his family. remember the jags do have jennings, while hes no mjd, they are rebulding and if they ca get a couple picks for mjd that will go a long way in the rebuilding process. its about the future

For the most part I agreee with all the statements above. MJD for all intents and purposes is the Jags offense. I understand the owner doesnt want to be viewed as weak, but I think this is a lesser of two evils type situation.

The Jags have a new offense and MJD won't be asked to do as much in this offense. The only reason he had all the yards last season was because there was nothing else. That won't be the case going forward. What did all those yards do for the Jags? FIVE wins and that's all. The Jags gave him a big contract really before he proved himself. He needs to report and play.

Thanks for the comments for those who have replied. I'm not opposed to Jacksonville paying MJD, but only after he's completed this year. There's a reason teams give extensions when there's one year left compared to two.

In MJD's case, he was paid as one of the top running backs in the league. He was rewarded and then he's expected to produce. He'll deserve his extension when his time comes. This is not the time to extend him.

Also, things like signing bonuses are used for a reason to still give players paydays in case they under perform. Personally, I think it's fair game for a team to cut a player if they are underperfoming.

If I were to hold out at a regular job, I'd be fired. MJD's frustration is understandable, but management doesn't have to do anything when they have all the power here.

Honestly, how worse are the Jags without Jones-Drew? 2 wins? 3 wins? If Jacksonville trades MJD, players will understand it's a business and are building towards the future.

In some cases a holdout can make players resent the one holding out as well. There were reports of other players tired of hearing about Drew Brees' contract problems when others were going through similar problems, but not getting the sympathy.

Keep in mind Jones-Drew's hold out isn't expected to last into the regular season at all.

MJD is Jacksonville's star player, but if management was that concerned about filling seats, they'd have tried to get Tim Tebow a lot harder.

This is all about making the smartest moves for the team. In this case, it's not smart to extend the deal with two years left.

All I know is he is on my fantasy team.

If all you negative bitches could do it you would too. It's the nature of where they work, don't tell me for a minute that you don't think that you deserve more where you are employed and if you COULD hold out you would. I know it seems crazy and down right selfish to us normal people, but in their industry it makes sense and they have that right to do it. Quit hating and just don't pick him in your fantasy leagues.

I'm not "hating" he's holding out. The Jags just shouldn't pay him this year.

The NFL is a business, and players have nothing except their talent to leverage in negotiating contracts. He is under contract, yes - but with the here today/gone tomorrow threat - especially at his position, I cant say I blame him. In the end, he's not on the field when he plays the Texans - I am all for it

I don't buy into the "their contracts are not guaranteed" arguement. Sure they can be cut at any time (and the team potentially faces a cap penalty) but they also get guaranteed money up front to compensate for the non-guaranteed nature of NFL contracts. He did get $20 million guaranteed.
So what happens if he signs an extension for an additional 2 years $8 million per year and $35 million guaranteed on signing. He rushes for close to 2000 yards and then see's another player sign a deal for $9M per year and $40M on signing next spring. Does he hold out again??
If the players want the guaranteed contracts they will see the signing bonuses drop or even disappear in some cases. I'd say most of the players prefer the big up front bonuses rather than smaller guaranteed contracts.

@retropyro is right on. Guaranteed money was implemented to help from the getting cut if you don't produce perception. 10 years ago the cutting on site would be an issue, but now guarantees keep it reasonable.

If I am the Jags, in no way shape or form do I pay MJD. If he was on a veteran minimum contract then maybe he would earn sympathy from the fans, but since he is already into a previously signed large extension, the fans will side with the team.

You guys want to know how much leverage MJD has? Zero. None.

The Jags aren't teetering on the edge of contention, they are bad. Is MJD going to sit at home and pay a daily $30k fine? Uhhh, no. He is going to fold like a chair.

The new owner is setting the tone for how he will run the team. "When we sign you to a big extension and you consider holding out for an even BIGGER one before the terms are up (especially before the last year of the deal)....look up what happened to MJD.

Now does he run the risk of alienating FAs who don't want to sign with Jax? Maybe. But they already face an uphill battle signing guys anyway.

As for trading him and getting draft picks...they probably wouldn't get much. Maybe a 3rd and a 6th or something. It takes a special type of stupid for a GM to give up a 1 or a 2 for a RB with maybe 2 good years left.

I just hope MJD continues to get screwed in all of this. After all of his dumb tweets about Cutler's injury during the playoffs a while back, I just find him insufferable.

Khan is screwing up. If I was a Jag fan I would be worried. I'm a Cowboy's fan. When your owner is talking then there is a problem.

Owners should hardly ever be heard and never on contract situations.
Khan's statements were not right on. They were stupid and unnecessary. He's bringing animosity into the situation.

After his comments the trade word came out.

I guess they don't have an owner symposium to teach them to say.

"We don't discuss contract matters." or "We only talk to players if they come to camp."

Down the line this will be a problem. Other players know what MJD brings to the team. If they are treating him like that what will they do to me. That's what the players start to ask themselves.

Then the owner tries to pick out some guys who they think will be good and overpay him to prove a point.

The smart move would be to trade him. They aren't going anywhere any way. MJD missed camp. Most of the time when a player misses camp they get a nagging injury.

But the owner won't be smart because it's now personal. Instead of getting a 2nd round pick he will get a unhappy RB who will probably for the first time decide to spend more time in the training room instead of playing through an injury.

If MJD thinks. Hey we aren't going anywhere like brettford then tell me who really wins.