Yannick Ngakoue took substantial pay cut to leave Jags for Vikings

Yannick Ngakoue really didn’t want to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Ngakoue was dealt to the Minnesota Vikings early on Sunday morning for two draft picks, a second rounder and a conditional fifth rounder. Considering Ngakoue’s determination to get out of Jacksonville and player for a winning team, the Jaguars actually got pretty decent value for him.

Upon his trade to the Vikings, Ngakoue was expected to sign a franchise tender with Minnesota, which would have paid him around $18 million — a substantial cap hit. Instead, Ngakoue was willing to take a reduced franchise tag at $12 million deal. Yes, he took $6 million less just to get out of Jacksonville.

Ngakoue still thanks Jacksonville and Jaguars fans for his time with the franchise

“It’s evident that my time in Jacksonville is up. But I want to say thank you to the organization for making it a home for myself for 4 years, and that I’ll never forget . That chapter is over with now. Nothing lasts forever. But I’m truly excited to start this new chapter! SKOL!” Ngakoue tweeted.

With the Vikings, Ngakoue will help fill the hole left by Everson Griffen in their pass rush opposite of Danielle Hunter. Ngakoue will finally get to focus on football, as any off-field issues have been left behind in Jacksonville. It’s been over a full year since he expressed his disinterest in the Jaguars organization.

Despite suffering a hamstring injury early in 2019, he still finished last season with eight sacks, proving just how dynamic he can be at his best. The 25-year-old gives the Vikings one of the best sack duos in all of football with he and Hunter.