How the Jaguars and Yannick Ngakoue situation all plays out

The Jaguars have taken a few hits over the past few seasons to their roster. How does the Yannick Ngakoue situation play out for both sides?

The Jacksonville Jaguars defense that was once the best in the NFL is now looking for a life preserver as it is drowning in the St. Johns River.

A.J. Bouye, Jalen Ramsey, Tashaun Gipson, Yannick Ngakoue, Telvin Smith, Barry Church, Malik Jackson, Marcell Dareus, Paul Posluszny, and Aaron Colvin. They were once apart of a team that looked to have one of the best defenses of all time. Now, all of those names are about to become faded memories in Jaguars’ lore.

It’s a sad commentary, but it speaks volumes about where things stand just two seasons ago.

After listening to several different opinions regarding the news that Ngakoue has told the organization he does not wish to seek a long-term deal, I’m left thinking there is still more to the story to be heard.

The Seahawks got Clowney for Jacob Martin and Barkevious Mingo, and a 2020 third-round pick. Trades around free agency and the draft are a bit different than just before the season, but we will see.

Any team that trades for #Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue would have to pay him too.
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) March 2, 2020

No matter how you slice it, this is an awkward situation. It’s something that should have already been resolved, and should never have gotten to this point. For everything the Jaguars have been criticized for lately, whether it’s moving another game to London, or how the front office handles player contracts or even what is going on with the NFL Draft, there are always two sides to a pancake, no matter how thin it is.

It’s one of the few lessons I continue to teach my children that I picked up from my days at Florida State from the late Dr. James White.

We aren’t sure what is taking place inside the confines of TIAA Bank Field. We don’t know what kind of conversations they have been had between general manager David Caldwell and Ngakoue’s camp.

As my friend Rick Ballou stated on Monday night on his radio show “Into the Night” on 1010XL and 92.5 FM here in Jacksonville, it’s possible that it was never Ngakoue’s intention to remain a Jaguar past the end of his rookie deal. It’s also possible that the lack of communication between the player and former Jaguars executive vice president of operations Tom Coughlin left an indelible stain that could not be removed.

A list of the starters and key reserves left from the defense that nearly took the Jaguars to the Super Bowl in 2017:

DE Calais Campbell (for now, anyway)
DE Yannick Ngakoue (who wants out)
LB Myles Jack
DT Abry Jones
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) March 3, 2020

Fans appear pretty upset at the news they came down Monday morning placing blame on both the player and the organization. There’s culpability on both parts. I have my own theories regarding what has transpired that I will discuss at a later date, but for now, the Jaguars will place the franchise tag on one of the most successful defensive players in team history with the potential of seeking a trade prior to the NFL draft. There are other ways this could play out.

Yes, I’m trying to be the ever optimist here.

Looking into a crystal ball, Jaguars could pony up to $22 million per year that Ngakoue is seeking. It would send a message to the fanbase that the team is serious about keeping a very popular player, and it also would give the team one of the better pass-rushing combinations in the NFL with him and Josh Allen.