Jaguars: Jalen arrives in style; Ngakoue a no-show

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – On Wednesday morning, the Jaguars veteran players reported for the start of training camp. According to several reports, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue wasn’t one of them. The Jaguars defensive end is now officially a hold out as he seeks a new contract. 

Ngakoue is scheduled to make $2.025 million in 2019, the final year of his rookie deal. Over his first three seasons, he has 29.5 sacks. Players who amass those types of numbers usually earn a huge pay day. 

Earlier this offseason pass rushers Frank Clark (Chiefs) and DeMarcus Lawrence (Cowboys) each signed deals for five years worth $105 million. 

NFL Network reporter Tom Pellisero tweeted that after the Jaguars made a substantial offer that would make him the fourth highest-paid defensive end in the league, to Ngakoue, talks broke off. 

Whether or not Ngakoue would hold out was one of the biggest questions the Jaguars had going into the start of training camp. The fourth-year pass rusher also skipped mandatory minicamp in June in search of a new contract. 

Without Ngakoue not in camp, the Jaguars will be looking for rookie defensive end Josh Allen to contribute immediately. 

The Jaguars placed Ngakoue on the Reserve/Did Not Report list. At the same time, they placed linebacker Telvin Smith on the Reserve/Retired list. Neither player will count against the Jaguars roster as long as they remain on their respective lists.

Ngakoue isn’t the only Jaguar looking to get paid. Jalen Ramsey is also seeking a new deal, although he’s acknowledged it won’t happen this season. This is how the Jaguars cornerback arrived to training camp.