Reports claim it is a matter of time before deal is officially announced.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew is expected to agree a three-year deal with the Oakland Raiders on Friday, according to ESPN sources.
The 29-year-old let the franchise know following a meeting on Thursday that he intended on signing and wanted to play in Oakland, which is his hometown team and permanent residence as well as the fact that he believes he will have better potential to start.
However, it is understood that he still needs to pass his physical and finalise the details of his contract before the move is made official, although the two sides are now “close” according to sources.
Jones-Drew was a first-team All-Pro in 2011 after leading the league with 1,606 yards rushing, however his progress was slowed down considerably after he suffered with a foot injury last season.
The Jaguars star averaged just 3.4 yards per carry and rushed for 803 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games last season, and seemingly it appears as though the organisation were prepared to let him leave after failing to agree on new terms.
Instead, Jones-Drew will now compete with Darren McFadden at the Raiders, with the latter often injured after being picked as the fourth overall in the 2008 draft.
McFadden has never played an entire season and missed three games in 2013, which would suggest that Jones-Drew would expect to compete for a starting role in pre-season and ultimately become an integral part of the franchise moving forward.
Confirmation of the move is expected later on Friday, and despite making a slow start to their recruitment drive this summer, Oakland appear to be putting their pieces together for the season ahead.
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