It would be best to get him locked up now, but I don't think Jennings wants that. Hasn't he already fended off attempts to get him to the negotiating table? I remember something about him "not wanting to be a distraction" of something like that.
Smelled like BS then, too...
He (or his agent) (or both) want to wait until the offseason and let other teams drive up the price. Smart tactic. I just hope Ted isn't cheap/proud/stupid enough to let him get away.