Yannick Ngakoue didn’t get his new deal, but he decided to show up to Jacksonville Jaguars camp anyway. The former Pro Bowl defensive end wrapped up his nearly two-week holdout with no new contract, but with a new determination to show how valuable he really is, whether it’s to the Jaguars or another team.
“At the end of the day, they had a chance to sign me for a long-term deal, but it didn’t get done,” Ngakoue said Sunday. “It is what it is. I’m just here like I said. I love football, love my teammates, and I’m here to play games. … I know my value, I know my worth. That’s all I can say. Doesn’t matter about anybody else knowing my value. I showed each and every year.”
After deciding to play out his contract, #Jaguars star pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue is ending his holdout and showing up with plans to practice today, sources say. A huge part of that defense is back.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2019
The Jags should know his worth too. Over his first three seasons, the former third round pick out of Maryland has 29.5 sacks and led the league in forced fumbles in 2017 wit six. Last year, Ngakoue recorded 28 tackles, 13 tackled for a loss and 9.5 sacks with a pass defense.
The fourth-year defender is looking at a $528,650 fine for skipping the first 11 days of training camp and the team’s offseason activities. They’d be smart to not stick him with it since they’d surely like to work a long-term deal at some point, likely after hitting him with the franchise tag this offseason.
“It’s great to see him (Ngakoue),” Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said. “Good to have him back and ready to go, so we’re excited. He’s ready to go and in great shape. We’re all together.”
Head Coach Doug Marrone:
"@YannickNgakoue's always been in great shape, he's ready to go." pic.twitter.com/WoVJu0EOI2
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 4, 2019
Ngakoue is in the final year of his rookie contract, set to make $2.02 million this season. Two recent pass rushers with similar numbers both got $100 million contracts, DeMarcus Lawrence of the Dallas Cowboys and Frank Clark of the Kansas City Chiefs. Ngakoue is expecting the same and he should.
“I don’t even compare myself to no other pass-rusher,” Ngakoue said. “No disrespect to those guys. Those are my guys, Dee Ford, all them guys, Frank (Clark). I’m my own player. I feel like I bring a different aspect to the game. Stats show.”
