While defensive end Yannick Ngakoue has missed a lot of time on the field with his teammates since organized team activities, defensive coordinator Todd Wash is fully confident in his ability to come into training camp ready. When asked about the fourth-year player’s pending return, Wash spoke highly of one of his young leaders stating that he already knows the scheme like the back of his hand.
Ngakoue, 24, has been holding out of the Jags’ summer activities in efforts to land a new contract as he is on the last year of his rookie deal. After watching edge rushers like Dee Ford, Demarcus Lawrence and Frank Clark receive big extensions this offseason, Ngakoue and his camp elected to fight towards an extension, too, but both sides haven’t been able to find common ground. Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Jags did offer Ngakoue a short-term deal worth $19 million annually, but the full details weren’t revealed as Ngakoue and his agent, Ari Nissim, elected to shoot for something better.
Despite all that has gone on between himself and the front office, one thing that fans can bet their last dollar on is the fact that Ngakoue has been working hard while away from the team. After all, he’s done nothing but grind since he was drafted and I’d expect nothing different from him this offseason.
