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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FOXBORO — The New England Patriots are moving on from Yannick Ngakoue, reportedly waiving the veteran pass rusher on Tuesday.
The Patriots claimed the 29-year-old Ngakoue in early November after he was released by the Baltimore Ravens. Baltimore had hoped to get Ngakoue through to its practice squad, but the Patriots pounced and took a flyer on the former Pro Bowler.
The Patriots claimed Ngakoue on Nov. 8, and he made his New England debut on Nov. 17 in a loss to the Los Angele Rams. He was on the field for 46 percent of New England’s defensive snaps the following weekend, recording two tackles in a loss to the Dolphins in Miami.
Over his six games with the Patriots, Ngakoue played 39 percent of the team’s defensive snaps and recorded just nine tackles and two QB hits. One of those quarterback hits came in Week 17’s blowout loss to the Chargers, when Ngakoue was also flagged for an extremely avoidable — and costly — roughing-the-passer penalty ahead of halftime that helped set up a Los Angeles field goal.
The Patriots brought Ngakoue in to help jumpstart the team’s pass rush, but that was a nearly impossible task for anyone joining the club. Entering Week 18, New England is last in the NFL with 28 sacks.
In releasing Ngakoue now, the Patriots are giving the veteran a chance to join another team for the playoffs. If Ngakoue finds a new team, it would be his seventh different franchise since leaving the Jaguars after the 2019 season.
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The New England Patriots have reportedly waived veteran linebacker Yannick Ngakoue, according to multiple sources. Ngakoue, who was signed by the Patriots in the offseason, was expected to be a key contributor on defense. However, it appears that the team has decided to part ways with the 28-year-old linebacker.
Ngakoue, a former Pro Bowler, has had a successful career in the NFL, recording 45.5 sacks and 18 forced fumbles in his six seasons in the league. It remains to be seen what led to the Patriots’ decision to waive Ngakoue, but it is likely that the team is looking to make changes to their roster as they head into the regular season.
It will be interesting to see if Ngakoue is claimed off waivers by another team, or if he will become a free agent. Regardless, this move by the Patriots is sure to shake up the linebacker position and raise questions about their defensive strategy moving forward. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
The Patriots are moving on from a veteran edge rusher.
Per Adam Schefter of ESPN, New England is waiving Yannick Ngakoue on Tuesday.
Ngakoue, 29, joined the Patriots when he was claimed off waivers in November. He had been with the Ravens earlier this year, appearing in five games.
In six matchups for New England, Ngakoue recorded nine total tackles with two QB hits. He has 1.5 sacks with one TFL and six QB hits in 11 games this season.
By letting Ngakoue go at this point, a contender could pick him up for a postseason run either via waivers or through the open market should Ngakoue clear them.
A third-round pick in 2016, Ngakoue has registered 70.5 sacks with 72 tackles for loss and 148 QB hits in 134 career games.
The New England Patriots are set to waive defensive end Yannick Ngakoue on Tuesday, according to sources. Ngakoue, who was acquired by the Patriots in a trade with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this year, has struggled to make an impact with the team this season.
Despite high expectations for Ngakoue, he has failed to live up to them and has been largely ineffective on the field. The Patriots have decided to move on from Ngakoue and will waive him on Tuesday.
It remains to be seen where Ngakoue will land next, as he is now free to sign with any team as a free agent. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
Ngakoue, 29, is a former third-round pick of the Jaguars back in 2016 out of Maryland. He played out the final year of his four-year, $3.48 million contract before the Jaguars used the franchise tag on him.
However, Ngakoue refused to play for the Jaguars in a contract dispute and they later traded him to the Vikings. He lasted just a few months in Minnesota before he was traded to the Ravens that same season.
As an unrestricted free agent in 2021, Ngakoue signed a two-year, $26 million deal with the Raiders. He was traded to the Colts after one year in exchange for CB Rock Ya-Sin.
Ngakoue signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal with Chicago last August. He returned to the Ravens in September and signed to the active roster in October. Baltimore put Ngakoue on waivers in November when New England claimed him.
In 2024, Ngakoue has appeared in five games for the Ravens and six games for the Patriots and recorded 14 total tackles and 1.5 sacks.
The New England Patriots have made the tough decision to waive outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue. Ngakoue was acquired by the Patriots in a trade earlier this season, but unfortunately, he has not lived up to expectations on the field.
Despite his talent and potential, Ngakoue has struggled to make an impact in New England’s defense. The Patriots have decided to part ways with the veteran linebacker in order to make room for other players who can contribute more effectively.
It’s always tough to see a player released, especially one with Ngakoue’s caliber, but the Patriots are clearly focused on making the necessary changes to improve the team’s performance. We wish Ngakoue all the best in his future endeavors and hope he lands on his feet with another team in the NFL.
“I think I’m in a good place, but there’s still more to want from myself and for my career,”Grigor Dimitrov said as he ended his 2024 campaign on a high. The Bulgarian star had a stellar last season, as he put on impressive performances tournament after tournament. However, the new season presents new challenges and Dimitrov will have to be ready for it if he has to maintain the momentum from the last season. The 33-year-old begins his campaign at Brisbane International against Yannick Hanfmann.
Both Dimitrov and Hanfmann have been around the tour for quite some time now and know what it takes to excel at the highest level. Thus, fans can expect a crackerjack of a contest when they face each other in Brisbane.
Grigor Dimitrov vs Yannick Hanfmann: Preview
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Both Dimitrov and Hanfmann have had a contrasting 2024 season. The Bulgarian star has played consistently throughout the season and hardly put a foot wrong. He is the defending champion in Brisbane, having won the title this year. Additionally, he also reached the finals of three other ATP events, including the Miami Masters. Further, in the Grand Slams, Dimitrov had a couple of quarterfinal finishes in the French Open and the US Open. The 33-year-old would be riding high with confidence.
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Paris Masters – AccorHotels Arena, Paris, France – November 2, 2023 Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov celebrates winning his round of 16 match against Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
On the other hand, Hanfmann had a forgettable 2024 season. He failed to perform consistently this year and had early exits from the tournaments. Apart from a couple of semifinal finishes, the German star didn’t have any inspiring results in 2024. He will look for redemption when he begins his new campaign against Dimitrov tomorrow.
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Dimitrov vs. Hanfmann: Head-to-head
The two veterans have been around the ATP circuit for a long time now, making their professional debuts years ago. However, they have played each other just once before on the ATP Tour. Interestingly, that match came earlier this year at the Miami Open. In the third-round battle there, Dimitrov lost just one game before defeating Hanfmann. The Bulgarian star would be a hot favorite again going into the first-round clash in Brisbane.
Prediction: Dimitrov to have it easy against Hanfmann
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Assessing the players’ chances, there is hardly anything going against Dimitrov. He is ranked 10th in the ATP rankings while Hanfmann is just inside the top 100 at the 96th spot. Furthermore, Dimitrov had an impressive win percentage in 2024, winning 46 matches while losing just 18. On the other hand, Hanfmann won just 20 of the 41 matches that he played in 2024.
Subsequently, Dimitrov also has a winning history against Hanfmann, which should give him an upper hand in this match. Dimitrov is expected to win this match in straight sets tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to see if Hanfmann can turn the tide against a rampant Dimitrov in Brisbane. But the Bulgarian is the firm favorite.
ATP Brisbane: Grigor Dimitrov vs Yannick Hanfmann; Preview, Head-To-Head, and Prediction
In the first round of the ATP Brisbane tournament, former world number three Grigor Dimitrov will take on German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann.
Dimitrov, a talented and versatile player, has struggled with consistency in recent years but has shown flashes of his top form. With a strong serve and powerful groundstrokes, the Bulgarian will be looking to start his season on a high note with a win over Hanfmann.
On the other hand, Hanfmann, ranked 123rd in the world, has been making strides on the tour and will be eager to cause an upset against the higher-ranked Dimitrov. The German has a solid all-around game and will look to push Dimitrov to his limits.
In their head-to-head matchups, Dimitrov holds a 2-0 advantage over Hanfmann, with their last meeting coming in 2018. However, Hanfmann has been improving since then and will be looking to level the playing field in this match.
Prediction: While Hanfmann has been playing well, Dimitrov’s experience and skill level should give him the edge in this match. Expect a competitive battle, but ultimately Dimitrov should come out on top in straight sets.
