Jaguars Not Letting Yannick Ngakoue Hit Free Agency is Bad Business
By Jerry Trotta
Welp, it's looking like the Jacksonville Jaguars are setting themselves up for a front office fracas with one of their standout defensive players.
NFL insider Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the Jacksonville plans to use the franchise tag on star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. This may leave the Jags with options in terms of being able to trade Ngakoue, but at its core, this is a terrible way to conduct business, as the man himself isn't going to be overjoyed.
Jacksonville Jaguars will use their franchise tag on pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue, per league sources. The tag will allow them to try to trade him if that’s what they decide or are forced to do.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 2, 2020
So, why is that? Because Ngakoue fired off a tweet on Monday stating his intentions to play "elsewhere" in 2020.
In fact, the 24-year-old noted that he and Jaguars are no longer interested in discussing a potential contract extension.
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
The Jaguars shouldn't simply assume they'll be able to find a trade partner, either. As we know, the trade market is can be harsh and unforgiving, and applying a franchise tag worth approximately $19.3 million for the 2020 season doesn't suddenly make a player more valuable if it's well-known he doesn't want to be in Jacksonville anyway.
Letting Ngakoue walk this offseason for nothing won't feel good, but paying over $19 million this season for a man who wants out also isn't the smartest of investments. No matter which way you slice it, the Jags are in a bind here. But the worst thing they can do is let this man dangle knowing fully well that he just wants to be set free.