Ngakoue Traded- Wheels Officially Falling Off

The pass rusher the Vikings acquired in a bold trade before the start of the 2020 season is on his way out of town, in what could be only the first of several moves before the Nov. 3 trade deadline.
The Vikings announced they are trading defensive end Yannick Ngakoue to the Ravens, for what sources said are a third-round pick and conditional fifth-rounder.
The team had acquired Ngakoue from the Jaguars on Aug. 30 for a second-round pick and conditional fifth, signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal after he grew disgruntled with the idea of playing on the franchise tag in Jacksonville.
Ngakoue agreed to a pay cut in Minnesota because he wanted to play with a contender, but with Danielle Hunter possibly out for the season because of a neck injury and the team starting 1-5, Ngakoue is instead headed back to his home state to play with the 5-1 Ravens.
The Vikings, meanwhile, could be on their way to selling off a number of veterans before the trade deadline, following a disappointing start that disabused the team of its preseason boast it could contend while retooling its defense without a preseason.
The coronavirus pandemic, which has kept the Vikings and many teams from opening their games to paying customers, could lead to a major drop in the 2021 salary cap, affecting teams like the Vikings who are stocked with highly-paid veterans.
They gave Ngakoue a $4 million signing bonus as part of his deal; that part of his contract will stay on the team's books, while the Vikings will recoup a prorated portion of Ngakoue's $8 million base salary. The Jaguars will keep the Vikings' second-round pick, which figures at the moment to be near the top of the round, while the Ravens' third-rounder could be late in the round if they keep winning.
https://www.startribune.com/vikings-trading-yannick-ngakoue-to-baltimore/572828842/

They wouldn't have been able to afford him anyway. The rebuild is official. They will need to get rid of more players to get more money. It is what it is.

Rick has no business running a professional franchise.

They weren't allowed to sign Ngakoue to a contract because he was franchised, but I am not sure if working out a deal before the trade was possible. He was getting to the QB, maybe not generating the same amount of pressure as Hunter or Griffen, but he seemed like an acquisition that made sense long term to pair with Hunter, which long term would have been worth the 2nd rounder. Though maybe the more accurate way to look at the move was that the Vikings were worried about Hunter's neck and trading for Ngakoue was an attempt to salvage the season. I assume he must have forced or a trade or made it clear that he was going to walk after the season, but the value they got from Baltimore isn't much better than what they'd get from a compensation pick, I guess they just get the compensation sooner.

Wonnum at least looked like he'd be a good rotational end, but man, the DL is going to take another big step back now. The coaching staff needs to do everything they can to optimize player development and make the most out of the remaining games.

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

@"pattersaur" said:

O'NeillIrv Smith Jr.Kendricks

HarrisReiffH. Smith

For the people saying-- trade more players! Well here's the list. Teams aren't calling about Kirk and Rudy. These players are actually GOOD, therefore they might have some demand. Parting with any of them is going to hurt a lot. So before everyone throws out, "sell everyone!", which of these guys do you move and what for?
And before you say, "NO WAY I'D TRADE _____________," well that's the guy other teams want. Not Bisi.

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

Admit that they acquired an upper echelon pass rusher?  That they got what they were hoping they were going to get? 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

I think that gutting the roster would be an overreaction to this season, but I would not be shocked if they moved another veteran like Reiff.

@"Tyr" said: I think that gutting the roster would be an overreaction to this season, but I would not be shocked if they moved another veteran like Reiff.

Can players on IR still be traded?  First they couldnt then they could,  I am not sure any more.

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

Admit that they acquired an upper echelon pass rusher?  That they got what they were hoping they were going to get? 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

Build around? They can't afford this guy. Hunter wants a new contract. The salary cap is going DOWN next year. lol, c'mon PF...this team isn't building around anything, they are rebuilding. If you don't get the move, you aren't paying attention to what's going on. This team is 1-5. They are 100% going to lose to Green Bay upcoming. Its not about him not producing, they thought the team could be good. It isn't. Cousins redo of his contact is almost catastrophic now to their cap. He's gone before next season. What about Anthony Harris, they can't resign him either. 

Tear it down. 

Disappointed in this because we definitely did not get back what we paid in the first place. Happy that we at least got something before he's gone though. I'd like to see us ship Anthony Harris too....I dont think he resigns with the Vikes either. Maybe someone will want to trade for Reiff since he's playing well this year? Outside of that, I dont know who else the Vikes will trade

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

Admit that they acquired an upper echelon pass rusher?  That they got what they were hoping they were going to get? 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

Build around? They can't afford this guy. Hunter wants a new contract. The salary cap is going DOWN next year. lol, c'mon PF...this team isn't building around anything, they are rebuilding. If you don't get the move, you aren't paying attention to what's going on. This team is 1-5. They are 100% going to lose to Green Bay upcoming. Its not about him not producing, they thought the team could be good. It isn't. Cousins redo of his contact is almost catastrophic now to their cap. He's gone before next season. What about Anthony Harris, they can't resign him either. 

Tear it down. 

Lets tear this apart some...

Acquiring YN: My assumption in acquiring him was that he was seen as a foundational player for years to come. Not a one year rental. An EG replacement to pair with DH. 

Trading YN: Maybe others are right, the staff knew DH wasn't going to make it back this year and he was a 1 year only player. I find that hard to believe though.

I also cant believe the owners and front office are going into tank mode. Actually I can, but it surprises the hell out of me. Maybe it shouldn't at 1/5. 

A move like this sends a clear message to that locker room - this is not a win this year team. Changes an awful lot imo in how players are going to engage the remaining 10 games.  

Glad I didnt pay to go watch this s hit show this year. 

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

Admit that they acquired an upper echelon pass rusher?  That they got what they were hoping they were going to get? 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

Build around? They can't afford this guy. Hunter wants a new contract. The salary cap is going DOWN next year. lol, c'mon PF...this team isn't building around anything, they are rebuilding. If you don't get the move, you aren't paying attention to what's going on. This team is 1-5. They are 100% going to lose to Green Bay upcoming. Its not about him not producing, they thought the team could be good. It isn't. Cousins redo of his contact is almost catastrophic now to their cap. He's gone before next season. What about Anthony Harris, they can't resign him either. 

Tear it down. 

Lets tear this apart some...

Acquiring YN: My assumption in acquiring him was that he was seen as a foundational player for years to come. Not a one year rental. An EG replacement to pair with DH. 

Trading YN: Maybe others are right, the staff knew DH wasn't going to make it back this year and he was a 1 year only player. I find that hard to believe though.

I also cant believe the owners and front office are going into tank mode. Actually I can, but it surprises the hell out of me. Maybe it shouldn't at 1/5. 

A move like this sends a clear message to that locker room - this is not a win this year team. Changes an awful lot imo in how players are going to engage the remaining 10 games.  

Glad I didnt pay to go watch this s hit show this year. 

honestly... the more moves like this that they make the more interested I will become.  I have said that this team wouldnt win, but I want to see what we have behind our aging vets to see what our real areas of need are.  Who are the hidden potential gems waiting in the wings?

it sucks watching a team with no future and no hope,  at least with some moves we should be able to see what we have to work with going forward.

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"JimmyinSD" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said:

@"purplefaithful" said:

@"StickyBun" said: Better to cut bait now and admit the mistake. They thought they had a good team, they don't. Let's get this going and turn it around in a couple years with a new QB. Get rid of some more players and make sure they draft top 3. 

Admit that they acquired an upper echelon pass rusher?  That they got what they were hoping they were going to get? 

These are pieces you build around, not trade. 

I dont get the move - unless they really are tanking it. 

Build around? They can't afford this guy. Hunter wants a new contract. The salary cap is going DOWN next year. lol, c'mon PF...this team isn't building around anything, they are rebuilding. If you don't get the move, you aren't paying attention to what's going on. This team is 1-5. They are 100% going to lose to Green Bay upcoming. Its not about him not producing, they thought the team could be good. It isn't. Cousins redo of his contact is almost catastrophic now to their cap. He's gone before next season. What about Anthony Harris, they can't resign him either. 

Tear it down. 

Lets tear this apart some...

Acquiring YN: My assumption in acquiring him was that he was seen as a foundational player for years to come. Not a one year rental. An EG replacement to pair with DH. 

Trading YN: Maybe others are right, the staff knew DH wasn't going to make it back this year and he was a 1 year only player. I find that hard to believe though.

I also cant believe the owners and front office are going into tank mode. Actually I can, but it surprises the hell out of me. Maybe it shouldn't at 1/5. 

A move like this sends a clear message to that locker room - this is not a win this year team. Changes an awful lot imo in how players are going to engage the remaining 10 games.  

Glad I didnt pay to go watch this s hit show this year. 

honestly... the more moves like this that they make the more interested I will become.  I have said that this team wouldnt win, but I want to see what we have behind our aging vets to see what our real areas of need are.  Who are the hidden potential gems waiting in the wings?

it sucks watching a team with no future and no hope,  at least with some moves we should be able to see what we have to work with going forward.

Hidden gems where? The baby assets they have are all starting in the secondary and DL. 

Wow, wonder what that's about.                                                                                                                          

really stupid IMO, as I think Hunter is probably done.  Do we really think a herniated vertebrae in his neck wont worsen with age / repeated contact.

what a shit show

and here i thought, “Well, at least we cant LOSE AGAIN this week”

@"MaroonBells" said: Wow, wonder what that's about.                                                                                                                          

YN went from 1/5 team to 5/1. Or maybe the outhouse to the penthouse? I think that his hometown too?

Funny thing is, DE is an area where even the biggest Spielman critic would have to say, he is very good at finding talent that produces. Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, Ifeadi Odenigbo, even DJ Wonnum now - Spielman can find pass rushing DEs. (DTs, OTOH...)
So why did they trade for Ngakoue at all??

@"Jor-El" said:

Funny thing is, DE is an area where even the biggest Spielman critic would have to say, he is very good at finding talent that produces. Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, Danielle Hunter, Stephen Weatherly, Ifeadi Odenigbo, even DJ Wonnum now - Spielman can find pass rushing DEs. (DTs, OTOH...) So why did they trade for Ngakoue at all??