Tag: Ngakoue

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (34) rushes during the first half against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Ravens to activate RB Keaton Mitchell for ‘TNF’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens are expected to activate running back Keaton Mitchell from the physically unable to perform list ahead of Thursday night’s game against the visiting Cincinnati Bengals, ESPN reported.

The club reportedly opened up a roster spot for Mitchell by waiving veteran defensive end Yannick Ngakoue.

Mitchell, out since tearing his left ACL last December, was a full participant in practice this week as the Ravens (6-3) prepared for their rematch with the Bengals (4-5). Baltimore won 41-38 in overtime in Cincinnati in Week 5.

Mitchell, 22, rushed for 396 yards and two touchdowns and caught nine passes for 93 yards in eight games (two starts) as an undrafted rookie in 2023. He averaged 8.4 yards per carry and 10.3 yards per catch.

The speedy Mitchell could serve as a change of pace to NFL leading rusher Derrick Henry, who has carried 168 times for 1,052 yards and 11 touchdowns in nine starts.

Ngakoue, 29, has 1.5 sacks and five tackles in five games this season. The former Pro Bowler has 70.5 sacks, 146 QB hits and 21 forced fumbles in 128 games (115 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Minnesota Vikings (2020), Las Vegas Raiders (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Chicago Bears (2023) and Ravens (2020, 2024).

–Field Level Media

Oct 5, 2023; Landover, Maryland, USA; Chicago Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) reacts after the game against the Washington Commanders at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images

Reports: Ravens add OLB Yannick Ngakoue to practice squad

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Baltimore Ravens are signing linebacker Yannick Ngakoue to their practice squad, ESPN and The Athletic reported Monday.

Ngakoue, 29, has been a free agent since his one-year contract with the Chicago Bears expired last spring. His lone year in Chicago was cut short by a broken ankle in Week 14.

The Washington, D.C. native and former Maryland star is returning to Baltimore after playing nine games for the Ravens during the 2020 season. The Minnesota Vikings traded him to Baltimore before the deadline for two draft picks.

Ngakoue has 69 career sacks in 123 games (115 starts) for six teams since the Jacksonville Jaguars picked him in the third round of the 2016 draft. He put up double-digit sacks in 2017 with Jacksonville (12) and 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders (10).

In 13 games (all starts) for the Bears last season, Ngakoue tallied four sacks, 22 tackles and seven quarterback hits.

–Field Level Media

Sep 25, 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) celebrates after sacking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (not pictured) during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Scheer/IndyStar Staff-USA TODAY Sports

Colts appear unlikely to re-sign DE Yannick Ngakoue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts appear unlikely to re-sign defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, based on recent remarks by defensive coordinator Gus Bradley.

Ngakoue, 28, entered free agency last month after leading the Colts with 9.5 sacks in 15 starts last season.

Bradley talked about the former Pro Bowl selection in the past tense at a press conference on Wednesday.

“We lost Yannick Ngakoue,” Bradley said, per the Indianapolis Star. “He was a tremendous player for us. That’s the NFL. There’s some times you bring new guys in, and they have to step up, and every year’s a new year with the team.”

The Colts signed free agent defensive end Samson Ebukam last month and have 2021 first-rounder Kwity Paye and 2021 second-round pick Dayo Odeyingbo at the position.

Ngakoue has 65 sacks, 135 quarterback hits, 21 forced fumbles and two interceptions in 110 career games (102 starts) with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2016-19), Minnesota Vikings (2020), Baltimore Ravens (2020), Las Vegas Raiders (2021) and Colts.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the second half as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) blocks at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Raiders agree to two-year deal with DE Yannick Ngakoue

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Nov 10, 2019; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) celebrates with offensive tackle James Hurst (74) scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals during the first half at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

The Las Vegas Raiders have agreed to a two-year, $26 million deal with defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, according to multiple reports.

Ngakoue, who turns 26 on March 31, has 45.5 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in 78 games (70 starts) over five NFL seasons.

He spent his first four campaigns with the Jacksonville Jaguars and received the franchise tag last offseason from the club.

Shortly before the 2020 season began, Jacksonville traded him to Minnesota and the Vikings signed Ngakoue to a one-year, $12 million deal.

After having five sacks in six games for Minnesota, Ngakoue was traded to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 2. He had three sacks in nine games for the Ravens.

Ngakoue was a Pro Bowl selection for the Jaguars in 2017 when he had 12 sacks and a league-best six forced fumbles.

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the second half as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) blocks at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jags QB Minshew: ‘Ngakoue out for blood’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

So desperate to get out of Jacksonville was Yannick Ngakoue that he staged a contract standoff to force the Jaguars to trade him.

Former teammate Gardner Minshew has an idea of what to expect from Ngakoue when the defensive end faces the Jaguars as a member of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

“Now Yannick’s going to be out for blood,” Minshew said.

Ngakoue was traded twice since his holdout as a franchise player with the Jaguars. He accepted a $5.8 million pay cut to help the Minnesota Vikings acquire him from the Jaguars, but after a slow start he was dealt to the Ravens in late October.

Ngakoue had 37.5 sacks in four seasons with the Jaguars. He’s not planning to give Jacksonville any bulletin board material before this week’s game, when Ngakoue and former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell are playing for the other side.

“I’m just treating it as another game,” Ngakoue said. “We need the rest of these wins to get to where we need to get to. At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville, you know that’s not a secret. At the end of the day, I’m just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday.”

Campbell has battled injuries in his first season with Baltimore. Ngakoue has one sack in his seven games with the Ravens.

“Sometimes, that’s how the game is,” Ngakoue said. “But they come in bunches when they roll in. You got to continue to have a mindset of ‘I can’t give up. I won’t stop. I’ll keep rushing regardless.’ “

In three seasons with the Jaguars, Campbell went to the Pro Bowl three times.

“I’ve been in contact with a bunch of the guys over there, just because in football, you develop a brotherhood and friendship,” Campbell said. “So, a lot of those guys I’m real, real tight with. So it’s going to be fun competing and talking trash along the way and having some fun with the old team.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the second half as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) blocks at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jags QB Minshew: ‘Ngakoue out for blood’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

So desperate to get out of Jacksonville was Yannick Ngakoue that he staged a contract standoff to force the Jaguars to trade him.

Former teammate Gardner Minshew has an idea of what to expect from Ngakoue when the defensive end faces the Jaguars as a member of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

“Now Yannick’s going to be out for blood,” Minshew said.

Ngakoue was traded twice since his holdout as a franchise player with the Jaguars. He accepted a $5.8 million pay cut to help the Minnesota Vikings acquire him from the Jaguars, but after a slow start he was dealt to the Ravens in late October.

Ngakoue had 37.5 sacks in four seasons with the Jaguars. He’s not planning to give Jacksonville any bulletin board material before this week’s game, when Ngakoue and former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell are playing for the other side.

“I’m just treating it as another game,” Ngakoue said. “We need the rest of these wins to get to where we need to get to. At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville, you know that’s not a secret. At the end of the day, I’m just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday.”

Campbell has battled injuries in his first season with Baltimore. Ngakoue has one sack in his seven games with the Ravens.

“Sometimes, that’s how the game is,” Ngakoue said. “But they come in bunches when they roll in. You got to continue to have a mindset of ‘I can’t give up. I won’t stop. I’ll keep rushing regardless.’ “

In three seasons with the Jaguars, Campbell went to the Pro Bowl three times.

“I’ve been in contact with a bunch of the guys over there, just because in football, you develop a brotherhood and friendship,” Campbell said. “So, a lot of those guys I’m real, real tight with. So it’s going to be fun competing and talking trash along the way and having some fun with the old team.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the second half as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) blocks at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jags QB Minshew: ‘Ngakoue out for blood’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

So desperate to get out of Jacksonville was Yannick Ngakoue that he staged a contract standoff to force the Jaguars to trade him.

Former teammate Gardner Minshew has an idea of what to expect from Ngakoue when the defensive end faces the Jaguars as a member of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

“Now Yannick’s going to be out for blood,” Minshew said.

Ngakoue was traded twice since his holdout as a franchise player with the Jaguars. He accepted a $5.8 million pay cut to help the Minnesota Vikings acquire him from the Jaguars, but after a slow start he was dealt to the Ravens in late October.

Ngakoue had 37.5 sacks in four seasons with the Jaguars. He’s not planning to give Jacksonville any bulletin board material before this week’s game, when Ngakoue and former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell are playing for the other side.

“I’m just treating it as another game,” Ngakoue said. “We need the rest of these wins to get to where we need to get to. At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville, you know that’s not a secret. At the end of the day, I’m just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday.”

Campbell has battled injuries in his first season with Baltimore. Ngakoue has one sack in his seven games with the Ravens.

“Sometimes, that’s how the game is,” Ngakoue said. “But they come in bunches when they roll in. You got to continue to have a mindset of ‘I can’t give up. I won’t stop. I’ll keep rushing regardless.’ “

In three seasons with the Jaguars, Campbell went to the Pro Bowl three times.

“I’ve been in contact with a bunch of the guys over there, just because in football, you develop a brotherhood and friendship,” Campbell said. “So, a lot of those guys I’m real, real tight with. So it’s going to be fun competing and talking trash along the way and having some fun with the old team.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 1, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the second half as Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Alejandro Villanueva (78) blocks at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Jags QB Minshew: ‘Ngakoue out for blood’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

So desperate to get out of Jacksonville was Yannick Ngakoue that he staged a contract standoff to force the Jaguars to trade him.

Former teammate Gardner Minshew has an idea of what to expect from Ngakoue when the defensive end faces the Jaguars as a member of the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.

“Now Yannick’s going to be out for blood,” Minshew said.

Ngakoue was traded twice since his holdout as a franchise player with the Jaguars. He accepted a $5.8 million pay cut to help the Minnesota Vikings acquire him from the Jaguars, but after a slow start he was dealt to the Ravens in late October.

Ngakoue had 37.5 sacks in four seasons with the Jaguars. He’s not planning to give Jacksonville any bulletin board material before this week’s game, when Ngakoue and former Jaguars defensive lineman Calais Campbell are playing for the other side.

“I’m just treating it as another game,” Ngakoue said. “We need the rest of these wins to get to where we need to get to. At the end of the day, I had my time with Jacksonville, you know that’s not a secret. At the end of the day, I’m just going to treat it like another game, another Sunday.”

Campbell has battled injuries in his first season with Baltimore. Ngakoue has one sack in his seven games with the Ravens.

“Sometimes, that’s how the game is,” Ngakoue said. “But they come in bunches when they roll in. You got to continue to have a mindset of ‘I can’t give up. I won’t stop. I’ll keep rushing regardless.’ “

In three seasons with the Jaguars, Campbell went to the Pro Bowl three times.

“I’ve been in contact with a bunch of the guys over there, just because in football, you develop a brotherhood and friendship,” Campbell said. “So, a lot of those guys I’m real, real tight with. So it’s going to be fun competing and talking trash along the way and having some fun with the old team.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2019; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) looks on prior to the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Vikings acquire Ngakoue from Jaguars

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Franchise-tagged defensive end Yannick Ngakoue received his wish on Sunday — a one-way ticket out of Jacksonville.

The Jaguars agreed to trade Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2021 second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2022. The 2022 pick can become a third-round pick if Ngakoue is named to the Pro Bowl and the Vikings win the Super Bowl.

Ngakoue had 37.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 63 games with the Jaguars.

The window to reach a long-term deal has passed for Ngakoue, but he will receive a revised one-year tender to cover the 2020 season until the extension can be made official, per multiple reports.

Ngakoue began his holdout shortly after he was given the franchise tag in March. He vowed not to return to the team.

Ngakoue said he wanted to be traded, and now follows standout yet emerging defensive players Jalen Ramsey (Rams) and A.J. Bouye (Broncos) out of Jacksonville via trade.

In Minnesota, he’ll join a top defense run by head coach Mike Zimmer and line up opposite Danielle Hunter, another 25-year-old pass rusher. Hunter established a record as the fastest to reach 50 career sacks last season.

Ngakoue, a third-round draft pick from Maryland in 2016, held out last summer as he sought a contract extension in the range of $20 million a year. He ended his holdout after 11 days and played on the final season of his four-year, $3.28 million rookie deal, banking on catapulting a successful 2019 season into a big 2020 payday.

“I know my value, I know my worth,” he said last summer. “That’s all I can say. Doesn’t matter about anybody else knowing my value. I showed each and every year.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2019; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) receives oxygen on the sideline during the third quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Jaguars GM re-engages Ngakoue amidst agent switch

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell reconnected with holdout defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, who is in the midst of switching agents.

Ngakoue, 25, is holding out and vowed not to return to the team in a contract standoff that began when Ngakoue was designated a franchise player in March. The franchise tag restricts players from leaving in free agency without granting the team refusal rights to either match any offer or accept compensation in return.

Ngakoue said he wanted to be traded, following defensive standouts Jalen Ramsey (Rams), A.J. Bouye (Broncos) and Calais Campbell (Ravens) out of Jacksonville via trade.

Thus far, the Jaguars have been hesitant to accept trade offers, reportedly asking for multiple first-round picks to part with Ngakoue.

On Tuesday, Caldwell confirmed he renewed dialogue with Ngakoue.

“You’d have to talk to him. I’m very cautious of speaking for him,” Caldwell said. “He and I have been in contact the last couple days, but I think that is for him to discuss. He’s played his contract out. He has the right to do what’s best for him and his family. So, I’m going to defer any of his future questions to him, and try to keep our conversations between he and I.”

Ngakoue cannot be fined or disciplined as he has yet to sign the franchise tender for the 2020 season and is technically not under contract.

Ngakoue fired his agent and is in a five-day window during which his representation cannot be disclosed. Caldwell wouldn’t say whether the change in agents could help the Jaguars mend fences with the defensive end.

“I don’t have a feel for that one way or the other,” he said. “I think, like I said earlier … I’m going to not speak for Yan, out of respect for him. He’s earned the right; he played his contract out, he played four years. He’s earned the right to do what’s best for him and his family. Obviously, he’s a guy that we know what he brings to the table. His coaches love him. His teammates love him. We love his energy. The fan base loves him. Ideally, we would love to have him here, but I’ll let him speak on his behalf of what’s going on, and I know he’s making some calculated decisions.”

–Field Level Media