Bears Sign Yannick Ngakoue
The Chicago Bears probably have the worst defensive line entering the 2023-24 NFL Season. Chicago ranked dead last in sacks a year ago. They may have solved some of their issues landing a key free agent Thursday night. The Bears have signed talented pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue to a lucrative one year contract.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the news:
The top available defensive free agent, DE Yannick Ngakoue, is signing a one-year, $10.5 million deal, including $10 million guaranteed with the Chicago Bears.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2023
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the deal Thursday night.
Ngakoue, 28, should still theoretically be in the prime of his career. The former Maryland product registered 9.5 sacks for the Colts in 2022. The year prior he had 10 sacks for Las Vegas. In seven career seasons, Ngakoue has 65 sacks. Chicago will now be his sixth different team while previously playing for Jacksonville, Minnesota, Baltimore, Las Vegas, and Indianapolis.
It can’t be stressed enough how big of a need this was for Chicago. Rookie safety Jaquan Brisker led the team in sacks last year. Yes, you’re reading that right. A safety led the team in sacks last year. The Bears’ pass rush pressured opposing quarterbacks on 22% of pass plays which was the second worst mark in the league. The Bears’ defensive line notched just 7.5 sacks together a year ago. Ngakoue will probably more than double that number.
Ngakoue joins a bunch of no-namers along that Bears’ pass rush. DeMarcus Walker, Dominique Robinson, and Trevis Gipson are the other names on the depth chart. Not exactly a room that previously inspired confidence. This is a huge deal for the Bears and hopefully, will get this defense off the field more in 2023.
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