Before flipping the page to 2025, the New England Patriots decided to make one last transaction in 2024. Veteran outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue, who had joined the Patriots as a waiver claim in early November, was released.
The timing of the move was not coincidental, according to head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Just trying to give a veteran player an opportunity to catch on with a team that will be in the postseason,” Mayo explained during a press conference on Wednesday.
According to an NFL memo from January 2024, teams participating in the postseason are allowed to sign no more than four free agents while in the tournament and no more than two in the same week. Ngakoue getting waived on Tuesday gives him a head start of sorts, even though he was not claimed on the waiver wire by Wednesday afternoon.
A third-round draft pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016, Ngakoue developed into a productive pass rusher and one-time Pro Bowl selection. After leaving Jacksonville via trade in 2020, he continued putting up solid numbers. His last two seasons, however, have been a struggle — culminating in his release by the 3-13 Patriots on Tuesday.
In six games as a Patriot, Ngakoue played 39 percent of defensive snaps but registered no sacks and just three combined quarterback pressures. Nonetheless, Mayo spoke highly of the 29-year-old and what he brought to his team during his short tenure.
“I’ll just say this about Yannick, he did a great job,” Mayo said. “He was great in the meeting rooms. He was great out there in the practice field. A veteran that brought a lot to the table, and wish him nothing but the best.”
The Ngakoue-less Patriots will take on the Buffalo Bills in their season finale on Sunday. Kickoff at Gillette Stadium has been set for 1 p.m. ET.
Former New England Patriots linebacker Jerod Mayo recently spoke out about the team’s decision to release defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. Mayo, who now serves as a linebackers coach for the Patriots, shed some light on the thought process behind this move.
In a recent interview, Mayo explained that the decision to release Ngakoue was a difficult one but ultimately came down to salary cap constraints and the team’s overall roster needs. Ngakoue was signed as a free agent in the offseason, but his hefty contract was not sustainable for the team’s financial situation.
Mayo emphasized that Ngakoue is a talented player and a great teammate, but sometimes tough decisions have to be made in the NFL. The Patriots are constantly evaluating their roster and making moves to improve the team’s overall performance.
While Ngakoue’s release may have come as a surprise to some fans, Mayo reassured that it was a strategic decision made with the team’s best interests in mind. The Patriots will continue to make moves to strengthen their roster and compete at a high level in the upcoming season.
Overall, Jerod Mayo’s insight provides some clarity on the Patriots’ decision to release Yannick Ngakoue and highlights the complex nature of managing an NFL roster. Fans can trust that the team is always working towards building a competitive and successful team on the field.
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Jerod Mayo, Patriots, Yannick Ngakoue, release, decision, NFL, football, New England Patriots, player news, team news, sports analysis, roster move
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