Yannick Ngakoue is an intriguing free agent prospect for the Bills to consider. Buffalo have a need for a defensive end that can provide more sacks, and that’s where the 24-year-old has thrived.
But that idea took a bit of a bump on Monday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Jacksonville Jaguars will franchise tag Ngakoue. It’s a bit of a complex situation, though.
While Ngakoue’s tag news surfaced Monday, so did a tweet that Ngakoue sent out himself. Not only did Ngakoue say he’s “no longer” interested in signing a long-term deal with the team that drafted him, he made it sound like he doesn’t want to play for the Jags ever again. His message finished that he looks forward to “continuing my career else where.” No more Jacksonville, it seems:
The Jaguars are aware I no longer have interest in signing a long term contract in Jacksonville. Duval, I love you and gave you guys everything I got. I’m thankful for the journey and look forward to continuing my career elsewhere. -91
— Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) March 2, 2020
Ngakoue’s situation could likely go one of two ways. He can find a new team, but the Jaguars will have to trade him there. Or we could see some sort of interesting holdout type of deal. Former Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, also a potential present day Bills free agent target, was previously franchise tagged by the Panthers. He didn’t want it, and after a dispute, the Panthers dropped the tag and eventually Norman latched on with the Redskins a few years back.
More recently, players such as Dee Ford, Frank Clark and Jadeveon Clowney, all top-notch pass rushers as well, were all traded by their teams after the franchise tag was placed on them.
Ngakoue has 37.5 career sacks in four seasons. His single-season lowest output was eight sacks. For reference, current Bills pending free agent Shaq Lawson had a career-high 6.5 sacks last season.
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