Yannick Ngakoue Rumors: DE Discussed Contract with Teams, Jags Holding Up Trade

Yannick Ngakoue is reportedly doing all he can to facilitate a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the team doesn't appear to be in a rush to deal the Pro Bowl defensive end.

Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Ngakoue has "engaged in contract discussions with multiple teams" and is "flexible" about potentially playing this season on the franchise tag, but a potential trade is being held up by the Jaguars' "unwillingness" to make a move.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported the Jaguars were offered "a Pro Bowl player who didn’t fit their system" in one trade proposal but are still holding Ngakoue for the time being.

Ngakoue's status has been a focal point of this offseason. On March 2, he tweeted the Jaguars were made aware he "no longer" had interest in signing a long-term extension.

Jacksonville applied the franchise-tag designation to Ngakoue on March 13 to prevent him from becoming a free agent.

Trade rumors have swirled around Ngakoue, who has been public about his desire to play for another organization:   

The Jaguars didn't receive any trade offers prior to the 2020 NFL draft, general manager David Caldwell said.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported in April that Jacksonville's asking price for Ngakoue started at "a first-round pick and more."

Ngakoue has yet to sign his one-year franchise tender, which is worth $17.8 million in 2020. The deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals is Wednesday at 4 p.m. ET.

Ngakoue, 25, made the Pro Bowl in 2017 after recording a career-high 12 sacks. The Maryland alum has at least eight sacks in each of his four NFL seasons and has 85 quarterback hits in 63 career games.