Maurice Jones-Drew seeking $3.5 million a season

It's fairly obvious why the Steelers and free agent running back Maurice Jones-Drew parted without agreeing on a contract.

What Jones-Drew wants is neither managable for the Steelers, nor is it at all reflective of what the market will currently bear.

Maurice Jones Drew currently seeking about $3.5M/year. His career accomplishments are great but as older RB in this market could be tough

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) March 20, 2014

Simply put, but he's insane if he thinks he's getting $3.5 million this season, or even up front. Not after a season that saw him average 3.4 yards a carry, and not when he's turning 29 this weekend.

Crazy how it's changed, but 29 is the new 30 for NFL running backs, when just a few years ago, 30 was the new 40. Still, that's the reality, and if MJD went to Pittsburgh seeking that kind of a contract, his agent isn't exactly informed. It lends more belief to the notion he was in town to do nothing more than generate some buzz with a team that is known to need a running back.

On one hand, mission accomplished. Buzz was created, and he got the opportunity to leave without a deal, sending the impression he's serious about the dollars of his next deal.

On the other, he gave other teams the impression that's all he'll sign for, and in a market that shows the top-tiered backs going for non-guaranteed 2-year, $7 million deals, what he's asking for is highly unlikely to materialize.