Jacksonville Jaguars officially opened their training camp on Thursday, but they were one man short. Jags’ disgruntled defensive end Yannick Ngakoue failed to show up while the team’s head coach Doug Marrone confirmed that the player hasn’t been in contact with him.
“I have not (had any conversations with him),” said Marrone in a conference call with reporters on Thursday. “He’s one player I know that’s always ready, always taking care of himself. “
Ngakoue’s absence isn’t surprising, as he previously said that he doesn’t want to play for Jacksonville anymore. The relationship between two sides turned sour early in the year when the Jags’ and the 25-year-old player failed to agree on a long-term extension.
Despite Yannick Ngakoue’s wishes to cut his ties with the organization, the Jags decided to place a franchise tag on him in March. This gives Jacksonville control over Ngakoue in 2020, but it doesn’t assure them that he will actually play for them anymore.
Ngakoue still hasn’t signed the tag, and until he does so, the Jags don’t have means to force him to join the team. However, rejecting to do so would cost him a whopping $17.788 million salary that he is set to earn in 2020.
The most likely scenario is that Jacksonville Jaguars trade Ngakoue before the season starts, and he plays on the tag for a different team. Still, Jags reportedly ask for a massive haul in order to consider dealing the Pro Bowler.
Ngakoue has been with Jacksonville since 2016 and has started all but two games since his rookie season. His career stats include 122 tackles, 37.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns.
