For weeks, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has took to social media to vent about not wanting to play for the Jaguars this upcoming season.
On Tuesday, Ngakoue expressed his desire to play elsewhere on national television.
He appeared as a special guest on ESPN’s NFL Live show to say the Jaguars had an opportunity to extend him a long-term contract last offseason but talks broke off and now it’s time to move on.
?Everything comes to an end and it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter of my career,? Ngakoue said. ?I am forever thankful what Jacksonville has brought to me and my family, but it’s time to move on.?
Ngakoue also took another shot at the franchise Tuesday when he said he was a top five defensive end but due to playing in Jacksonville he has not been able to be seen enough around the country because the Jaguars play so few prime time games.
?If I end up landing on a team that’s prime time, hopefully I can show the world what I can do,? Ngakoue said. ?I really want to be part of a team with great culture and winning is a habit. I don’t want to be part of a team where losing is a norm or anything of that nature.?
Though the Jaguars have the leverage edge with Ngakoue after designating him with the non-exclusive $17.8 million franchise tag last month, the franchise’s national image continues to hit.
Just like last October with cornerback Jalen Ramsey, another high-profiled defensive star wants out.
Ramsey’s exit plan before he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams included publicly complaining that an unspecified Jaguars team official, which was former Jaguars top executive Tom Coughlin, said ?disrespectful things? before he faked a back injury to keep from playing.
Ngakoue’s exit plan includes repeatedly trying to force a trade by publicly venting his desire to play with another franchise.
On his birthday last Tuesday, Ngakoue wrote a Twitter post to tell the Jaguars it’s time for move on. Knowing that a trade could still be in the works by draft night, Ngakoue spoke like a politician on ESPN on what he can bring to a team that may be interested acquiring him.
?The first thing I can say to any of the 31 other teams that would like to take me during (a) draft (night trade) is I bring just a different presence in the locker room, not just on the field,? Ngakoue said.
?You can reach out to anybody that ever played with me in Jacksonville, the kind of intensity and aggressiveness I bring is different. In my opinion, I am a top five defensive end in this league, top three.?
Ngakoue’s total of 37.5 career sacks and 14 forced fumbles since he was drafted as a third-round pick in 2016 out of Maryland. He has not had fewer than eight sacks in a season since his arrival in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars may have no other choice but to unload another disgruntled player. However, their asking price in a trade deal would likely include a team having to part ways with at least one first-round pick.
Despite having already parted ways with veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Calais Campbell in trades to acquire draft picks, Coach Doug Marrone wants Ngakoue back.
?I’m just hoping that somewhere down the line or somehow all the stuff can be resolved,” Marrone said.
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