Jacksonville Jaguars star pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue hasn’t signed his franchise tender and wants to be traded. He may just get his wish.
On Tuesday morning, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport shared that “There remains some interest around the NFL” for Ngakoue. He noted that it “would be a difficult, complicated deal to do, but not impossible.”
The Jaguars have until 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 15 to work out a long-term extension. There is no deadline this summer to trade him, however it is harder to move players on one-year deals and the Jaguars would lose leverage if no trade was struck ahead of the deadline.
Yannick Ngakoue has been demanding a trade all offseason
It’s no secret that Ngakoue is not happy in Jacksonville.
He held out last summer until reporting in early August, and he has not signed his franchise tag to this point this summer.
In addition to wanting a contract extension that pays him like a top pass rusher, Ngakoue has made it clear he isn’t happy with how the Jaguars are run at an organizational level.
Chances are, if the Jaguars can’t trade him, Ngakoue will show up for work at some point. He has $17.8 million reasons to do so.
Stats show Ngakoue is worth a lucrative long-term contract
There is no doubt Ngakoue has a resume worthy of big money. Since being selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft, he has become one of the most dangerous edge rushers in the NFL. In four seasons, he’s racked up 37.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, nine passes defensed, two interceptions and has scored two touchdowns.
It’s not surprising at all that Ngakoue wants to be paid like a top player in the league. However, the Jaguars aren’t budging. So now it’s a waiting game to see who blinks first.