Jaguars Plan To Franchise Tag DE Yannick Ngakoue, Who Says He Won’t Sign Extension With Jacksonville

According to Adam Schefter, the Jaguars plan to use the franchise tag on DE Yannick Ngakoue before the deadline. 

The tag gives Jacksonville more time to work on a long-term deal or trade for their star pass rusher, who announced he no longer has any interest in signing a long-term deal with the Jaguar

The Jaguars are aware I no longer have interest in signing a long term contract in Jacksonville. Duval, I love you and gave you guys everything I got. I’m thankful for the journey and look forward to continuing my career elsewhere. -91

— Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) March 2, 2020

Schefter says the franchise tag number for defensive ends is expected to be about $19.3 million. 

Jacksonville has publicly remained optimistic about re-signing Ngakoue despite the falling out between the two sides last summer. The franchise tag seems like the only option for Jacksonville to keep Ngakoue from hitting the market in two weeks.

However, Ngakoue has indicated that he would not be happy with the franchise, which opens the possibility that he could skip OTAs, minicamp and potentially training camp.

Nagakoue is in line for a massive contract should he hit the open market and could end up securing $18 million or more per year if he reaches free agency. 

Ngakoue, 24, 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.

Ngakoue will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason for the first time in his NFL career. 

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.

We have him included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.