Jaguars GM: Report Of Yannick Ngakoue Trade Being Close “Erroneous”

In an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell strongly refuted the report that a trade was coming soon involving DE Yannick Ngakoue, calling it “erroneous.”

“If he’s being traded, I wish somebody would let me know,” Caldwell added. 

Former NFL GM Michael Lombardi reported Wednesday that the Jaguars were “extremely close” to trading Ngakoue.

Lombardi added Jacksonville had a “firm offer” in place including a second-round pick. He then followed that up by tweeting the Jets are “deeply involved” in trade talks for Ngakoue. 

However, multiple reporters said later that nothing was close regarding a trade for Ngakoue. NFL Media’s Tom Pelissero said based on the conversations he’s had with teams that have spoken to the Jaguars, it would be “shocking” if they were willing to trade Ngakoue for only a second-round pick. Instead, Pelissero mentions that it would likely take at least a second-round pick and more to get a deal done.

NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo reports there’s still a chance Ngakoue could be traded before the start of the regular season as Jacksonville has had discussions about that, but the team doesn’t want to give him away. 

Garafolo adds Ngakoue could even still mend fences and return to the team. Communication has improved since Ngakoue changed agents and the team has maintained they would always welcome him back. 

Ngakoue has yet to sign his franchise tender, which gives him some leverage in any potential trade since he would need to sign it before he could be moved.

Ngakoue has been flexible with his contract demands and is reportedly willing to play out the 2020 season on the franchise tag. The franchise tag for Ngakoue will be $17.78 million fully guaranteed. 

However, he has been as resolute in his desire for a trade as Jacksonville has been in turning down offers to this point. 

If Ngakoue continues his holdout into the regular season, he would not start losing money until he starts missing games. 

Ngakoue, 25, is a former third-round pick of the Jaguars back in 2016. He played out the final year of his four-year, $3.48 million contract and made a base salary of $834,269 for the 2019 season.

In 2019, Ngakoue appeared in 15 games for the Jaguars and recorded 41 tackles, eight sacks, an interception, a defensive touchdown, four forced fumbles, a recovery and six passes defended. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 36 edge rusher out of 107 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Ngakoue as the news is available.