Despite the massive contracts Frank Clark and DeMarcus Lawrence got this offseason, Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue insists his mind isn’t on a contract extension as he attends organized team activities. Instead, the young pass rusher told the media that he’s more focused on being the best leader he can be heading into the 2019 season. For those reasons, he stated that he won’t holdout, will attend all of the Jags’ OTA sessions and would be willing to play on the last year of his rookie deal if it came to it.
Ngakoue was a player many fans who many wondered would be in attendance at OTAs, and it would seem his love for the game wouldn’t allow him to sit out any longer. During the previous phase of workouts, the young pass rusher was in attendance for the beginning of workouts, but left before they could conclude. In that process, Ngakoue revealed he was working out in Miami with the same performance center that basketball stars LeBron James and Dwayne Wade workout with, while remaining in contact with coach Doug Marrone. However, it now appears he has his mind set on being with the team, though time will tell what he does when training camp rolls around barring that a deal isn’t done (which it should be).
If linebacker Telvin Smith remains out for the 2019 season, it could prove to be Ngakoue’s gain as the team would have a good bit of money to send his way. With him accumulating 29.5 sacks in three seasons and making the Pro Bowl in 2017, it would be questionable for the front office not to pay the young star who clearly is their franchise pass rusher and is maturing into solid leader.
