Yannick Ngakoue Flexible With Contract, Jaguars Still Unwilling To Trade Him

Adam Schefter reports Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue has engaged with contract discussions with multiple teams, but the biggest holdup to a trade remains the Jacksonville organization. 

Ngakoue’s contract demands have played a role in his relationship to the Jaguar souring, but Schefter says Ngakoue has been flexible in negotiations about playing on the tag or a new deal given the pandemic. 

While the contract hasn’t been the obstacle for a new deal, Schefter adds the Jaguars so far have still been unwilling to part with Ngakoue despite his resolute desire for a trade. 

The Jaguars said back in April they haven’t received any trade offers for the disgruntled pass rusher. Jacksonville had been reportedly asking for at least a first-round pick to move on from Ngakoue.

The stalled trade talks also led to a blowup between Ngakoue and team co-owner Tony Khan on Twitter. 

The franchise tag for Ngakoue is set to be $17.78 million fully guaranteed. The two sides have until 4 PM Wednesday to work out a long-term deal, but the odds of that appear slim.

Any team trading for Ngakoue would also have until then to sign him to an extension. But if he’s willing to play on the tag, a trade later on is still a possibility. 

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.