Yannick Ngakoue couldn't be happier about joining the Vikings. Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Yannick Ngakoue: Getting traded to Vikings a 'breath of fresh air'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 9/4/20

Yannick Ngakoue finally had his wish of being traded by the Jacksonville Jaguars come true, so his latest comments about departing the organization aren't necessarily a surprise.

The 25-year-old revealed that being traded to the Minnesota Vikings was a relief after months of being unhappy in Jacksonville.

Yannick Ngakuoe said getting traded to the Vikings is "a breath of fresh air. ... I just needed a fresh start."
— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) September 4, 2020

Ngakoue restructured his deal in order to be traded to the Vikings. In fact, he'll make less than the $17.78 million he would have made if he remained with the Jaguars. His new deal with Minnesota includes an $8 million guaranteed base salary with a $4 million signing bonus -- $12 million in total.

It's not surprising Ngakoue wanted to be traded from the Jaguars. Jacksonville traded Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye and Nick Foles — and that's not all. Running back Leonard Fournette was released and ended up signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Jags' 2016 third-round pick recorded eight sacks, 36 solo tackles, four forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 2019. He's gotten better every year since his rookie campaign in 2016, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him have another solid season in 2020.

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