Yannick Ngakoue Takes Big Pay Cut to Facilitate Blockbuster Trade to Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have made a major move this morning, acquiring defensive end Yannick Ngakoue from the Jacksonville Jaguars, for a 2021 second-round and a conditional 2022 first-round pick that could go as high as a third-round selection, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Jaguars agreed to trade franchise DE Yannick Ngakoue to Minnesota for a second- and conditional fifth-round pick that could go as high a third-round pick, league sources tell ESPN. Ngakoue still has to sign his tender, but trade is in place and Ngakoue is expected to be a Viking.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 30, 2020

Last season, Ngakoue forced 4 fumbles, had 41 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and 8.0 sacks. The Vikings now have two elite defensive ends with Ngakoue opposite of Danielle Hunter. This sures up one of about three major issues with Mike Zimmer’s defense. After this acquisition, this defensive line is one of the scariest in the NFL.

Ngakoue has been wanting out of Jacksonville for quite a while and he even agreed to a pay cut, to facilitate the trade to Minnesota. He is expected to see a $5M drop in 2020 salary, from $17.8 million to around $12 or $13 million.

The Vikings and DE Yannick Ngakoue worked overnight on an adjustment to his franchise tender, landing at a little under $13 million. That's down from $17.778 million. And Minnesota made clear its intention to do a long-term deal in '21.

So … Ngakoue REALLY wanted out of Jax.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 30, 2020

Maybe the Twins can now jump on the blockbuster trade wagon later today. Their deal-making window expires tomorrow and they need more help than the Vikings…

Cooper Carlson | Minnesota Sports Fan