Sports
Yannick Ngakoue Trade Rumors: Jaguars Have Held Talks, Received No Offers
James Gilbert/Getty ImagesThe Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly having difficulty finding a trade partner for disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue ahead of the 2020 NFL draft, which begins Thursday.Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Jaguars have had talks with teams but have not received a formal offer. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network added teams “realized…
James Gilbert/Getty Images
The Jacksonville Jaguars are reportedly having difficulty finding a trade partner for disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue ahead of the 2020 NFL draft, which begins Thursday.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Jaguars have had talks with teams but have not received a formal offer. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network added teams “realized quickly the price was high and they weren’t just giving him away.”
In March, the Jaguars used their franchise tag on Ngakoue, who subsequently requested a trade.
Ngakoue continued calling the franchise out on Twitter on Monday, specifically getting into a Twitter spat with owner Tony Khan:
Ngakoue: stop hiding moe.
Khan: I’m not in hiding sir, I’m in isolation getting ready for the draft. I’ve been pretty active on social media in isolation, but you wouldn’t know that since you unfollowed me (again).
Ngakoue: Since your feeling might today let’s both let the world in on the truth. We been had a discussion that the chargers game was my last game. Yet you try to back door the situation without answering any of my camps calls. Smh you spoiled bra.. holding up people for no reason.
Khan: It’s a new regime here sir. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the contributions you made here. That said, tweeting insults at me won’t get you traded any faster. Only good trade compensation will do that. Please redirect your efforts into a more productive outlet.
Ngakoue: Just trade me. I don’t need the speech.
Khan: Show me the compensation. I’m sure you’re really driving up the price today btw.
Ngakoue also publicly implored the Jags to “get this s–t done.” The 25-year-old is seeking not only a trade but also a long-term contract that would make him among the highest-paid defensive ends in football. While it may be fair to question his tactics, Ngakoue has earned a big deal. He recorded 41 tackles and eight sacks in 2019, his fourth straight season with at least eight sacks.
The biggest snag may be Jacksonville’s asking price. ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reported earlier this month that the Jaguars want a first-round pick and “more” in return. The San Francisco 49ers got a first-rounder from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for DeForest Buckner earlier this offseason. Ngakoue isn’t on Buckner’s level, but he isn’t far off, so a first in exchange is a mostly reasonable request.
With Ngakoue publicly feuding with ownership, it’d be a major surprise for any team to give much more than a mid-round pick. The relationship here is fissured to the point the Jaguars have almost no leverage, aside from potentially forcing Ngakoue to sit out the entire 2020 season if he doesn’t sign the tag.
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