The Chicago Bears have been busy this off-season, building their roster through free agency and the NFL Draft. However, they’re still on the hunt for another key edge rusher to complement Montez Sweat. One familiar option could be Yannick Ngakoue, who the Bears signed to a one-year, $10.5 million contract last year just before training camp.
However, Ngakoue’s performance last season was underwhelming, recording his lowest sack and pressure numbers in his eight-year career, coupled with a December ankle injury that landed him on injured reserve for the final four games. Ngakoue seems to have recovered well from his injury, as he recently posted a video on May 2 showing him participating in drills, appearing to be nearly back to full speed.
What are the chances of the Bears reuniting with Yannick Ngakoue?
The idea of the Bears reuniting with Ngakoue was initially suggested by Bill Zimmerman of Windy City Gridiron in his early 53-man roster projection. He emphasized that bringing Ngakoue back for the 2024 season seemed like a logical move. According to sources, there is mutual interest between the Bears and Ngakoue. Although no specific numbers or agreement have been reached, I’d assume it’s likely to be a one-year deal at with a lower price tag than the $10 million he commanded last season.
Ngakoue’s familiarity with the Bears’ defense and existing chemistry with players like Sweat could be enticing. Considering last season’s production might have been an outlier for Ngakoue, and the Bears’ defense improved significantly towards the end of the year, bringing him back on a short, cheap contract could fill a gap at the edge position temporarily. This would give the Bears time to pursue a more permanent solution, possibly in the 2025 NFL Draft, which is rich in defensive talent. Additionally, the Bears have multiple picks, potentially allowing them to address the edge position more than once by taking multiple swings at the position.The Bears will keep a close eye on roster cuts later in the off-season and carefully consider all options. However, the potential reunion with Ngakoue seems to have some real momentum and is something worth monitoring as the off-season progresses.
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Fortunately for us, Poles patience and understanding of the roster is what matters. First, the rantings here all suggest that “Chicken Little” is their favorite GM. Oh, the sky is falling, we didn’t sign the $90 million dollar defensive end. We haven’t spent 20 million on the interior line. We didn’t get the guys I wanted. “Whaa, whaa, whaa.” I’m so astute at being a GM they expelled me from GM school. Secondly, it’s May. Years ago, we made a little trade in the middle of training camp for a top tier DE. Can’t remember his name. I do remember… Read more »
I would not be surprised to see R Poles wait until after the summer camps before he brings in a DE. I think they may envision A Booker being more than capable of starting across from Sweat even as a first-year rookie. Booker is going to be an absolute beast with the right coaching and Sweat as his mentor. He was/is a very under-rated DE with great football intelligence and serious ability to get after the QB. Both him and K A (B Jones will definitely feel this kid breathing down his neck) are solid selections and will definitely pressure… Read more »
I prefer critical minds like Tgena and a few others here even when I might not agree with them compared to adolescent Arlington, picky trivial Boogie, and exclusionary Rocket. I actually feel embarrassed for them. They are an insult to my intelligence–just saying. Peace, love, and happiness,
Tinagena hasn’t learned that no one here believes anything she says. Constantly negative is all gena has. Go be a Pittsburgh and be with the loser JF gena. Make everyone here happy and disappear.
No. No and No. Dude got 10 mill to do NOTHING. now he wants more $$. Get your $$ from somewhere else. Anyone else or nobody. Been there done that and it was nothing!