GM Ryan Poles has done most of the work necessary to put the Chicago Bears in position for a possible playoff run. Their defense was already good last season. Now, the offense has gotten a huge boost with the arrivals of Keenan Allen, D’Andre Swift, Caleb Williams, and Rome Odunze. If things progress as hoped, this team is fully capable of posting the franchise’s first winning record since 2018. However, there is one lingering concern people can’t shake. That is the lack of a true secondary pass rusher opposite Montez Sweat.
Having one great QB hunter makes your defense good. However, everybody knows you need at least two to reach elite status. Chicago doesn’t have that. The best options on the table are DeMarcus Walker and rookie Austin Booker. Walker is primarily a run defender who is better inside as a rusher. Booker is a rookie with limited experience. They need somebody proven to ease the pressure on Sweat. Former scouting director Greg Gabriel of Windy City Gridiron believes one notable name is still in play.
The Bears could still sign another vet between now and the beginning of training camp. Reportedly, the Bears have had contact with Yannick Ngakoue in recent weeks. Ngakoue signed in with the Bears last year in August and didn’t play up to expectations. He only played in 13 games before breaking his foot, an injury which required surgery. He has put out several videos on X showing his workouts to let people know his foot is healed, and he’s good to go.
In fairness, Ngakoue was the only pass rusher the Bears had in the early season, and opponents tried to stop him. After the Bears acquired Sweat, Yannick’s play improved. Throw out last year, when he had just 4.0 sacks, and Yannick has averaged ten sacks a year as a pass rusher. He may be the best option for the Bears, but the contractual price has to be right for the Bears to re-sign him.
While he didn’t have the sack production everybody hoped for last year, the veteran was still effective in bursts. Part of the issue is he never got to play across from Sweat for long. The Bears traded for him at the end of October. He and Ngakoue played five games together before the latter broke his ankle. In that span, Ngakoue had two sacks, three hits, and 12 pressures on the quarterback. So there were signs that he was starting to generate more heat with Sweat drawing more attention. Sadly, he didn’t get to finish the year.
Recent videos indicate Ngakoue’s ankle is healthy. He is ready to return to action. He didn’t sign with a team last year until right before training camp, so there is no reason to think it will be different this time. The Chicago Bears don’t need to rush anything. They know how he operates at this point. Everything depends on the money Ngakoue wants. It cost $10.5 million to secure him last year. With the ankle injury and poor production, the Bears will hope to get a discount this time. If the veteran is okay with that, a reunion would not be a surprise.
