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Well, here’s something interesting: New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton recently began following Jacksonville Jaguars pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue on Twitter, though an exact time can’t be pinned down. Ngakoue was issued the non-exclusive franchise tag by the Jaguars earlier this offseason, following his rejection of an offer guaranteeing $50 million last summer and repeated verbal breakups with Jacksonville. He’s made it clear he won’t play another snap in teal and gold.
Now, Payton choosing to follow a young star player in the NFL from his private Twitter account is hardly unusual. He also follows Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill, for example. But this might be something to watch given Ngakoue’s repeated exchanges with Jaguars management on social media, including Tony Khan — the owner’s son who was promoted to a more prominent role in the organization after Tom Coughlin was fired last year. Ngakoue wants out of Jacksonville, and maybe Payton is taking an interest in the situation.
It hardly carries the drama of Julian Edelman unfollowing and re-following Tom Brady on Instagram after Tuesday’s Rob Gronkowski trade, but it’s something. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported this week that trade talks for Ngakoue have been quiet, with teams loathe to part with the draft picks needed to acquire Ngakoue on top of the contract he’ll demand. Something close to Khalil Mack’s blockbuster trade to the Chicago Bears wouldn’t be surprising.
But it would be a shock if the Saints helped Ngakoue change the teal on his jersey to black. They’ve made bold moves before, but giving up multiple high draft choices and paying out a huge contract to Ngakoue — even as young and productive as he is, having created 37.5 sacks before his 25th birthday — would be stunning. The Saints could use another defensive end to spell Cameron Jordan and Marcus Davenport, and Ngakoue’s quick-twitch athleticism is a quality no one in their stable shares right now. So we probably shouldn’t read too deeply into this, if at all.
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