EAGAN, Minn.– Yannick Ngakoue isnt bothered by leaving nearly $6 million on the table when he accepted an one-year, $12 million offer with the Minnesota Vikings after being traded by Jacksonville Jaguars today.
Rather, the defensive end views joining the Vikings as a “fresh start” and a “breath of fresh air.”
” Money was never my drive coming into this business,” Ngakoue stated Friday. “It has never been my drive. Ive always desired to be a great-caliber man, great-quality man, on and off the field.
2 RelatedJacksonville had actually positioned the franchise tag, worth $17.778 million, on the 25-year-old edge rush this offseason. Ngakoue declined to sign the tender and openly vented about his desire to play for another group.
Minnesota ended up being the location for Ngakoue after the Vikings looked to include another pass-rusher late in training camp upon stopping working to re-sign Everson Griffen, who invested 10 seasons with the team before taking an one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys as a free representative.
” The Vikings kind of came out of the blue, and I was delighted to understand that,” Ngakoue stated. “There were some groups that had interest, and they hesitated due to simply difficult circumstances. We couldnt get things done, but I simply appreciate Minnesota a lot for trusting me and being able to comprehend me and get me here.”
Minnesota is not able to work out a long-lasting offer with him up until the 2021 offseason due to the fact that Ngakoue did not sign his tender by the July 15 due date. While sources have actually suggested to ESPN that the Vikings wish to maintain Ngakoue beyond this season, either with a second franchise tag or through a multiyear agreement, he said his focus remains on preparing yourself for the season, which is 9 days away.
” I havent truly believed about a long-lasting deal or anything like that,” Ngakoue stated. Just getting all those things locked in my mind so I can be prepared for Week 1 and help this group as much as I can.”
Last October, star cornerback Jalen Ramsey required his way out of Jacksonville by means of a trade to the Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars likewise parted methods this offseason with veteran cornerback A.J. Bouye and defensive end Calais Campbell, trading them for draft choices.
” After not retaining a long-term deal with Jacksonville, I kind of felt a little disheartened about it,” Ngakoue said of his desire to leave the Jaguars. “But at the end of the day, its service. Im still grateful and pleased they provided me a chance to have my dream for 4 years. Its always going to be love for Jacksonville, however I felt like, and my household too, we seemed like it was best for me to be able to move on to a new location, new company and just get a new beginning.”
His first practice of 2020 occurred Thursday, 2 days prior to the Vikings wrapped the preseason. In spite of missing out on training school, Ngakoue stated he impressed himself with how ready he feels for Week 1– although he prepares to keep putting in the work with Andre Patterson, the co-defensive planner and defensive line coach.
” Im actually surprised how well Ive been,” Ngakoue stated. “Like you said, I have not practiced all of 2020. That was my very first practice, and for it to be full pads, for me to still seem like Im still in shape, simply knocking a little bit of the rust off, I seem like thats a true blessing. So 8, nine days from now, being with Coach Patterson, I know hell get me groomed up enough to the point where I must have the ability to hopefully make some plays for these people.”
” I just required a clean slate, and Minnesota was [the team] that offered me the chance to continue to live out my dream.”
Yannick Ngakoue, on signing up with the Vikings
” Money was never ever my drive coming into this organization,” Ngakoue stated Friday.” The Vikings kind of came out of the blue, and I was delighted to know that,” Ngakoue said.” I have not truly thought about a long-term offer or anything like that,” Ngakoue said.” After not retaining a long-lasting deal with Jacksonville, I kind of felt a little disheartened about it,” Ngakoue stated of his desire to leave the Jaguars.” Im in fact surprised how well Ive been,” Ngakoue stated.
The No. 91 jersey Ngakoue used for four seasons in Jacksonville was recently occupied by Vikings defensive end Jalyn Holmes, who tweeted a GIF on Thursday insinuating that Ngakoue offered him a significant sum for a jersey swap. Ngakoue jokingly stated he could not disclose just how much he paid the third-year defensive end however that it wasnt “excessive.”
” Thats how you identify me in this league,” Ngakoue said. “I feel like theres only one 91 in this era now that can do what I do. Thats why the number was so special to me. Jalyn had to let people understand it was spent for, however its nothing like that. Its about respect. Individuals know me in this league as No. 91, and I wish to continue to have that number all the way up until Im retired.”
Holmes will now use No. 90.
Playing along with fellow Pro Bowl protective end Danielle Hunter was likewise a driving force behind Ngakoues choice.
” I understand that hes a guy thats put up double-digit sacks [the past] 2 years,” Ngakoue said. “You can absolutely gain from a person like that. I did it one season, and I wish to continue that trend of being able to get back to that elite status. Just having him press me and I push him, and we can teach each other different things. I feel like well complement each other truly good and well.
When they talk about edge rushers, we want them to talk about Danielle and Yannick. Im simply thankful, like I stated, that were on the same group and can push each other each and every day.
Ngakoue has 37.5 profession sacks and 14 forced fumbles considering that he was prepared as a third-round choice in 2016 out of Maryland. Since sacks ended up being a main stat in 1982, Ngakoue is one of 7 NFL gamers to produce 8.0 or more sacks in each of his very first four seasons, according to ESPN Stats & & Information.
