As often the case is, the start of training camps around the NFL is met with some holdouts and one such contract dispute is happening in Jacksonville. Jaguars star defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is not reporting to camp with the rest of his teammates, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL Media.
It is not a surprise. There has been talk around the NFL for months that Ngakoue was leaning toward a holdout.
There is a reason why Ngakoue is looking for a raise – he has torn up the NFL. Over the course of the past three seasons, Ngakoue has amassed 29.5 sacks, he has 70 quarterback hits, and he has not missed a game since being a third-round draft pick out of Maryland in 2016.
He is also just 24. Ngakoue is the type of player teams dream about. They drafted in a mid-round pick, developed him into a star and now the most try to keep him. Of course, keeping Ngakoue will not be easy or cheap. It may not be easy because the Jaguars only have about $9 million in salary-cap room, but something must be done to keep Ngakoue happy.
He is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. The Jaguars will need to address both Ngakoue and cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who also wants a new deal. The Jaguars can’t ignore Ngakoue, though. The type of production he gives them is rare around the NFL.
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