While Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue may not want a long-term deal with the team, they at least are open to trying to retain him for a short-term deal. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the team officially placed the franchise tag on the young pass-rusher who just finished up his fourth season.
The #Jaguars have officially franchise tagged pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue, source said. Expected, but now official.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 13, 2020
On March 2, Ngakoue took to social media to state that he had informed the Jags that he didn’t want a long-term deal with the team, and moments later, it was revealed that they planned to franchise tag him. Since, many wondered would the Jags have a change of heart and transition tag him instead but it appears they stuck by their guns and went with the franchise tender.
The Jags’ decision will make things interesting in the offseason because it now opens up business for a possible trade. The team already has 10 draft picks and Ngakoue could add more to that total as the team may look to rebuild. There is also the possibility of the team trying to reason with him, but it would seem his mind is made up.
Ngakoue was drafted in the third-round of the 2016 NFL Draft (No. 69 overall) and has far exceeded the expectations that were placed upon him. Since becoming a Jags he’s accumulated 122 total tackles, 37.5 sacks (good for second in franchise history) and a whopping 14 forced fumbles.
The tag is projected to cost the Jags $19.3 million, with roughly $32.3 million in cap space, the team will have about $13 million in available space with free-agency approaching.