'NOTHING HAS CHANGED' WITH NGAKOUE'S DESIRE TO BE TRADED

Yannick Ngakoue (Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire)

Yannick Ngakoue still wants out. 

BY JORDAN DE LUGO

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It's Just 1st. With just two weeks left to sign the franchise tender, Yannick Ngakoue's stance hasn't changed, this according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.

Fowler tweeted this just after noon:

"Jaguars DE Yannick Ngakoue. I'm told nothing has changed with his stance - he still desires a trade - and doesn't have immediate plans to sign the tag. This could bleed well into training camp, absent deal with a new team."

It should come as no surprise that Ngakoue hasn't changed his mind about his desire to be traded. Ngakoue has repeatedly made it clear via social media, television interviews, and the like that he wants out of Jacksonville. 

Last summer, the Jaguars — then under the direction of Tom Coughlin — cut contract negotiations with their young pass rusher short. Coughlin made his offer and was unwilling to be flexible. He's out as the football czar in Duval county, but his departure didn't lead to better relations between Ngakoue and the Jaguars. 

Yannick has gone so far as to call out the owner of the team's son, Tony Khan, on Twitter.

But the Jaguars have remained steadfast in their unwillingness to deal Ngakoue unless they receive a trade offer that meets their demands, which reportedly start with a first-round pick. 

What's the hold-up?

Teams around the league are not willing to give up a first-round pick for a player looking to get paid as one of the top defensive ends in football. The ruckus he's caused all offseason hasn't helped, nor does the fact that Jadeveon Clowney is still on the free agent market. 

Ngakoue has until July 15th to sign the franchise tag. Training camp is scheduled to begin around July 28th. If Ngakoue elects not to sign the franchise tender, he could miss out on a nearly $18 million payday, which is significant considering Ngakoue has only made $4.67 million in his career. 

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