It’s official, Yannick Ngakoue is now a Minnesota Viking.
After ESPN insider Adam Schefter broke the news Sunday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars finally confirmed that the transaction was official Monday afternoon in what has already been an eventful day.
🚨TRADE OFFICIAL 🚨
We have traded Yannick Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2nd-round pick in 2021 and a conditional 5th-round pick in 2022. pic.twitter.com/2UGi0n2xKS
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) August 31, 2020
While the Jags are losing a very good Pro Bowler, the transaction closes what was a roller coaster of a ride with Ngakoue this offseason. Back in early March, Ngakoue revealed that he didn’t want a long-term deal with the Jags, who handled his contract situation poorly. Despite that, they franchise-tagged him anyway and held on to him past the draft and extension date for franchised players (July 15).
Prior to the draft, the situation between the two sides endured its most heated moment when Ngakoue demanded front office member Tony Khan to trade him. Unfortunately, Ngakoue wasn’t able to find his way out of Jacksonville at that moment and simply had to stay put for a little while longer.
Earlier this month, both sides began to make progress as Ngakoue fired his old agent Ari Nassim and made contact with the Jags afterward. Once he swapped representation, the wheels finally got going on a trade and the rest is history.
With Ngakoue gone, the Jags’ front office no longer has distractions to veer them away from preparing for Week 1’s game against the Indianapolis Colts. Additionally, Ngakoue found himself with a competitor, and should finally be able to contend for a Super Bowl, which is the ultimate goal for most players.
