NFL Rumors: Maurice Jones-Drew unlikely to return to Jacksonville Jaguars

Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defends during the second half at EverBank Field. Tennessee Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defends during the second half at EverBank Field. Tennessee Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defends during the second half at EverBank Field. Tennessee Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) runs with the ball as Tennessee Titans defends during the second half at EverBank Field. Tennessee Titans defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 20-16. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Next to probably Fred Taylor, the Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t had a running back as solid or as popular as Maurice Jones-Drew who may end up being the most popular player in franchise history at the moment. But while he’ll always be remembered as a Jaguar, he’s not going to be playing for them again — at least not in 2014.

Despite not being abler o find a contract in free agency, the odds remain low that Maurice Jones-Drew will be returning to the Jaguars next season as ESPN’s Michael DiRocco says it’s around a 25 percent chance the two sides come back together.

Per ESPN.com:

"I put it at 25 percent at best. I just don’t see Maurice Jones-Drew being willing to share carries with Toby Gerhart. Plus, I think he’s still looking for more money than the Jaguars are willing to pay right now. If the process continues to drag on and he can’t find a team, then it’s possible he’ll be willing take less money and return here to finish his career."

This is actually a sad end to what could have been an incredible era. Jones-Drew was a Pro Bowler and is one of the best running backs we’ve seen recently but injuries and bad roster moves hobbled his chances of being on a winning team.

A reunion down the road isn’t out of the question, but Jones-Drew returning to the Jaguars in the immediate future seems very unlikely.