Yannick Ngakoue‘s agent decided to add serious fuel to the already raging fire that has his client rumored to be traded to the New York Jets.
The first one was fake. Will the second one be the charm? If the answer is yes, it would fly in the face of conventional wisdom.
It all started with The Athletic’s Michael Lombardi retweeting a fake tweet claiming disgruntled Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive end Yannick Ngakoue had been traded to the Baltimore Ravens. (The fake account was inspired to mimic ESPN’s Adam Schefter.)
I screwed up on the Ravens one, those dam fake tweets–
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 19, 2020
Lombardi then quickly followed that up with a report that the New York Jets are “deeply involved” in talks with the Jags for Ngakoue’s services.
Okay, so this one is real, hearing the team deeply involved is the NY Jets…..that's not fake news. does it happen? not sure, but they are trying.
— Michael Lombardi (@mlombardiNFL) August 19, 2020
Of course, the entirety of Jets fandom went nuts.
Ngakoue, 25, has piled up 37.5 sacks over four years in the NFL—all with the Jaguars. The third-round selection out of Maryland is now entering the fifth year of his NFL career on a franchise tag.
Interestingly, Ngakoue decided to take the Jamal Adams route this past offseason. This means he made as much noise as possible with the express purpose to get out of town and to an organization that would offer him a big-time multi-year deal. He even went after Jags owner Tony Kahn at one point.
https://twitter.com/YannickNgakoue/status/1252284901937811457
It’s a new regime here sir. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of the contributions you made here. That said, tweeting insults at me won’t get you traded any faster. Only good trade compensation will do that. Please redirect your efforts into a more productive outlet
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 20, 2020
Show me the compensation. I’m sure you’re really driving up the price today btw.
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) April 20, 2020
Over the last month, several New York reporters poured cold water on the idea, claiming Joe Douglas and the Jets have no interest in acquiring the edge rusher. It makes all the sense in the world considering Douglas’ constant culture-rich preaching. Why bring in a guy who pulled the same social media noise the new Seattle Seahawks safety did?
Obviously, there are differences (Adams was entering his fourth year while Ngakoue is now playing on a tag), but culture is culture. Acquiring only the right type of player is Douglas’ mission. The jury is still out on whether Ngakoue is one of those guys in Douglas’ eyes.
Shortly after the report broke, Ngakoue’s representation, DEC Management, blasted Lombardi while also not completely ruling out the Jets idea.
https://twitter.com/davidcanter/status/1296178466853998598
“Always a good day when a “reporter” leaks a trade that’s not happening as of now and then gets duped by a fake Twitter account of a National reporter backing up his fake trade!! I love this site!!!”
The “not happening as of now” line is what will keep fan-hope alive. Also interesting is the idea—if the rumor turns out to be true—that Douglas could keep his interest contained in the New York media market.
After all, not one soul reported the Adams trade until it happened. It’s a feather in the cap of Douglas and this new regime that seemingly has things buttoned up.
For now, the idea of an actual edge rusher in Florham Park (the first one ever and first since John Abraham at Hofstra) will have to wait. There are too many variables still at play.
