Yannick Ngakoue apparently did not want to play under the franchise day and demanded a trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaguars welcomed their players to the training camp on Thursday, and after failing to comply with his request, he stayed away from the start of the training camp without excuse. Only one player was absent without excuse: Defensive End Yannick Ngakoue.This is not entirely surprising: The 25-year-old is supposed to play under the Franchise Day, but has not signed it yet. Ngakoue already publicly called for a trade in March. But the Jaguars don’t want to let the pass rush go. “Sacksonville” falls apart
Not surprisingly, Ngakoue is one of the last remaining members of the 2017 season ‘Sacksonville’ defence, and a departure would be difficult to cope with.

There is radio silence between team and player. Head coach Doug Marrone told the press that he had not heard from Ngakoue recently. The coach is still cool about it: “He’s a player I know is always ready. I know he’ll take good care of himself.”

Ngakoue, who was drafted in the third round in 2016, is looking forward to his fifth NFL season. Under franchise day, he would make around $17.8 million in the 2020 season.

Legally, the 1.88 meter does not violate the NFL rules by his absence. As long as he does not sign the Franchise Day, he is not an employee of his team.

The defense player could sign the Franchise Day anytime before week 10 and then join the team.

Marrone has sympathy for Ngakoue
Marrone even shows understanding for the absence of the star defender: “As a coach, I naturally want harmony between the management and the players. But you have to be honest, the players’ side and the management side have their rights. I simply try to find solutions to bring both parties together.”

Nevertheless, the coach has to take into account that Ngakoue might suspend the season.

One thing is clear: a player who reaches 37.5 sacks in four seasons is not easily replaced. But Marrone remains optimistic: “We are prepared for any scenario.”

Indeed, the front seven has been well reinforced recently: After the Jaguars had chosen Josh Allen for the 2019 NFL Draft and he immediately convinced with 10.5 sacks, the choice this time fell in the first round on K’Lavon Chaisson from Louisiana State University.

Aaron Lynch (most recently Chicago Bears) and Cassius Marsh (Arizona Cardinals) have also been added as Free Agents – both have been playing in the NFL since 2014.

“Whatever happens, we will go our way,” Marrone announces. “You just don’t want to run the risk of getting into trouble when you have to make adjustments. With the plans we have, we feel prepared for anything.”

Nevertheless, the Jaguars would be far better off with a ngakoue (preferably motivated).