Jarvis Jones motivated by Steelers not picking up his option

Jarvis Jones says that he is motivated by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ decision not to pick up his contract option for 2017.

Jones was a first-round pick by the Steelers in 2013 and is set to earn nearly $1.6 million this season. His salary for 2017 would have gone up to $8.4 million if the team picked up his 2017 option, which they chose not to do. That has him looking to produce more this season.

“It’s motivation for me,” Jones said via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “I’m just going to continue to work hard and get ready for the season.”

The Steelers did pick up their options on Cam Heyward and David DeCastro, so it’s not as if they’re opposed to paying the future salary bumps for players they find valuable and productive. But with Jones only recording 29 tackles and two sacks in 15 games last season, $8.4 would be an unreasonable salary.

At least Jones seems happy to be in Pittsburgh for another season.

“Hopefully, I’m here [beyond 2016]. I love this place, I love everything about it. I’m just going to work hard and do what I have to do so I can stay around here.”

Mostly an outside linebacker on the right side throughout his career, the Post-Gazette’s Ed Bouchette says Jones practiced on the left side this week to increase his versatility.