Maurice Jones-Drew Makes the Right Call in Reportedly Returning to Jaguars

Last month, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shahid Khan gave his star running back a hint that if he didn't report to camp soon, the "train" would leave without him, according to ESPN.com. 

On Sunday, Maurice Jones-Drew reportedly heeded his employer's advice. It's about time.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, MJD has finally elected to end his lengthy holdout:

"

Here we go: MJD returning to Jaguars today. Carry on.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 2, 2012"

Teammate Rashad Jennings confirmed the news shortly thereafter, and he likely isn't the only one excited to see MJD back:

"

Just shared some love with @jones_drew32 in the locker room. Glad to see you back - Let's work brah!

— Rashad Jennings (@RashadJennings) September 2, 2012"

And with that, the most dramatic storyline of this young NFL season has come to an end—for now.

The truth is, MJD had no choice but to report to camp eventually. In late August, his agent, Adisa Bakari, announced that he wanted a trade because he didn't appreciate Khan's comments, according to ESPN.com. He felt disrespected and unappreciated.

But the problem was, no team that needed him could afford him and no team that could afford him needed him. That left MJD stuck.

A guy who's entering the final two years of his contract obviously can't afford to sit out. And if he ever wants to earn the pay increase he feels he deserves, he knows he has to have another season like the one he had last year (when he led the NFL with 1,606 rushing yards).

Sitting out wouldn't do anything to help him prove his worth—to the Jaguars, or to any team interested in acquiring him at a later date.

Jones-Drew is one of the most—if not the most—valuable running backs in the NFL, and he wants to be paid like one. But if nobody wanted him, what other choice did he have other than returning to Jacksonville's camp?

The rest of MJD's 2012 campaign could go one of two ways: He could channel the lingering resentment over his contract situation into yet another career year, or he could let those emotions get in the way of his performance on the field.

And now that his reputation has been sullied, he can't afford a bad year.

Nobody likes to be paid less than what they think they're worth, but that doesn't mean you can just stop showing up to work. Holding out never made anybody look good.

As Charley Casserly—who served as general manager of the Washington Redskins and Houston Texans before heading to the The NFL Today on CBS—told NFL AM this week, via NFL.com's Kevin Patra:

"

There is nothing to say positive about Maurice Jones-Drew. He signed a contract, he was No. 3 in the NFL when they paid him at that point, he has an obligation to finish that contract and be on the field.

"

The only way to change the minds of those who now think the worst of him is by excelling in 2012. 

Jones-Drew hasn't done himself any favors with this holdout. He's made himself look selfish, and he's set himself a few steps back of the rest of the premiere running backs in the NFL by sitting out.

MJD needs to have an excellent season, but expecting that of someone who has been out of commission because of a holdout for the entire preseason may be a lot to ask.

In that sense, perhaps MJD should've jumped back on the train a little bit sooner. Now, all he can do is hope he can still keep up.