Steelers' Jones using contract option snub as motivation

When the Pittsburgh Steelers selected Jarvis Jones in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft, he was meant to be the next great linebacker in a long list of dominant players at the position for the team.

Three seasons later, however, Jones has failed to live up to his lofty draft status, registering just five sacks during his NFL career.

Because of this, the Steelers opted in early May not to take up the fifth-year option on Jones' rookie deal, meaning he'll hit the open market next offseason.

"It was their decision, it wasn't mine at all," Jones said Wednesday, according to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "Obviously, they made the decision.

"It's motivation for me. I'm just going to continue to work hard and get ready for the season."

Jones understands that 2016 will be a make-or-break season for him, but that the Steelers' decision hasn't altered his approach for the upcoming campaign.

"Obviously I have to be more productive than I have been the past three years," said Jones. "I think everybody knows that, and I know that myself. Nothing’s changed."