Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue finally reported to training camp after holding out for a new contract. It seems he is entering the 2019 NFL season with something to prove once again.
There had been plenty of speculation regarding whether or not a long-term deal would get done. According to Phillip Heilman of TheAthletic.com, Ngakoue is still looking forward to getting back to work:
“They had a chance to sign me for a long-term deal but it didn’t get done,” Ngakoue said. “It is what it is. I love football, love my teammates, and I’m here to play games.”
Ngakoue added that he hopes to continue to beat the odds.
“I bet on myself every season,” Ngakoue said. “I was a third-round pick, underrated. Bet on myself, I’m still here.”
There is certainly plenty of truth to Ngakoue's comments considering his body of work up to this point. The former Maryland product has established himself as one of the more promising, young edge rushers in the league in recent years. He managed to follow up his Pro Bowl campaign by finishing the 2018 NFL season with 28 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
It is no secret that the Jaguars have been in the midst of some significant changes on both sides of the ball. Ngakoue was hoping to secure his long-term future in Jacksonville with a new deal this season, however, it appears he is slated for free agency in 2020. The 24-year-old could garner quite the lucrative price tag next offseason if he managed to put together another double-digit sack campaign.
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