Viktor
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- Mar 19, 2019
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Kapadia wrote:
He so badly wanted to get out of Jacksonville that Ngakoue accepted about a $6 million pay cut to complete the trade to the Vikings. In Ngakoue's first four NFL seasons, he's produced 37.5 sacks and 85 QB hits. The only other players since 2000 who have hit those marks in their first four seasons are: J.J. Watt, Von Miller, Clay Matthews and Aaron Donald.
The 25-year-old Ngakoue will team with Danielle Hunter to give Minnesota one of the best pass-rushing duos in the league. The Vikings have shown they'll pay top dollar to keep defensive players that Mike Zimmer finds valuable. Ngakoue is on a one-year deal, but with a strong season, he could earn a big deal and become a mainstay in Minnesota.
Ngakoue was acquired a week ago in a trade with the Jaguars in which the Vikings sent a 2021 second-round pick and a conditional 2022 fifth-round pick to Jacksonville.
Ngakoue's best season came in 2017 when he recorded 12 sacks and forced a league-best six fumbles as he helped the Jaguars reach the AFC title game.
And while Ngakoue said he took less money to come to Minnesota, his sole focus now is on helping the Vikings win games — beginning this Sunday.
"Money was never my drive coming into this business. It has never been my drive. I've always wanted to be a great-caliber guy, great-quality guy, on and off the field," Ngakoue said on Friday. "I just needed a fresh start, and Minnesota was [the team] that gave me the opportunity to continue to live out my dream. I'm appreciative and excited.
"I haven't really thought about a long-term deal or anything like that. The only thing that's been on my mind is getting acclimated and adjusted to the new playbook," Ngakoue added. "It's a different scheme from what I've ran in Jacksonville. Just getting all those things locked in my mind so I can be ready for Week 1 and help this team as much as I can."