With the season inching closer, many fans have begun to monitor the Yannick Ngakoue situation closer and rumors have started to surface again. With than being the case, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero provided an update on the young pass-rusher’s situation, noting that the price on him seems to be high.
From @NFLTotalAccess: Contract talks break down between the #Vikings and Dalvin Cook, who's now staring at a franchise tag in 2021, while the #Jaguars seek value in a trade for Yannick Ngakoue — and a second-round pick won't get it done. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/0vQU0A57xf
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 20, 2020
“Here is what I can tell you, as of now there are no signs that anything are imminent with Ngakoue. Based on the conversations I’ve had with teams who’ve spoken with the Jaguars, it would be shocking if they are willing to move Ngakoue for only a second-round pick. The price is higher and it would have to be something like a second-rounder and some change,” Pelissero said.
“The relationship between Ngakoue and the Jags has been better since he recently changed agents, but it sounds as if he’d still prefer to be traded and he has some level of control over where he would be traded because he would have to sign the franchise tender to make the trade happen. At some point, Ngakoue is going to have to make a decision. Is he willing to sit out? Is he willing to play for the team that the Jags can agree to a trade with? Or if there is no trade, is he willing to come back and do something he said he won’t, which is play for the Jaguars again and make upwards of $1 million a week?”
These statements come after Ngakoue recently fired his agent Ari Nissim and moved on to new representation. He had previously been represented by Nissim since 2018 after leaving his first NFL agent Adisa Bakari.
Ngakoue, who had been awaiting a new contract, seemingly grew impatient with the Jags’ front office this offseason and that led to him declaring that he no longer wanted a long-term extension from them. Still, they use the non-exclusive franchise tag on him, retaining his rights on a short-term basis.
Before the draft, the young pass-rusher called out Jags front office member Tony Khan on Twitter and demanded a trade, however, Khan responded by saying the compensation needed to be right. Since, the draft and tag deadline for a long-term deal has passed, and though there has been reported interest in him over the last few months, the Jags’ price seemingly hasn’t been met.
Earlier this month the Jags general manager Dave Caldwell says he spoke with Ngakoue as he was going through his agent change, but the veteran general manager didn’t want to further comment on the conversation.
“As far as the Yannick situation goes, I think you’d have to talk to him,” Caldwell said. “I’m very cautious of speaking for him. … He’s earned the right to do what’s best for him and his family, so I’m going to defer any of his future questions to him and try to keep our conversations between he and I.”
This may be what Pelissero was referring to when he says the relationship has gotten better, but ultimately time will tell exactly how much better it’s gotten. Still, it’s encouraging to hear that the sides have spoken as it leaves the door slightly cracked for a potential reunion.