NEWSLETTER
We didn’t get too far into the 2022 regular season before realizing the Chicago Bears’ lack of pass rush was a problem. After turning the calendar to 2023, we thought addressing defensive line concerns was at the top of the list. And while the Bears *DID* bring in one new defensive end in free agency and a trio of defensive tackles via the NFL Draft, there is still something missing. But perhaps that void will soon be filled by GM Ryan Poles. And maybe it is on the cusp of happening right now.
Long-time Chicago sports reporter and personality David Kaplan hears the Bears are in the market for an edge rusher. That, in isolation, isn’t newsworthy. After all, the Bears have been on the prowl for edge help all offseason long. But Kaplan reports there is some urgency regarding the team’s recent inquiries. In short, they’d like to add some help soon. Here’s Kap’s video:
“Will they add an edge rusher? I’ve been making calls around the league. it sounds like the Bears are still engaged trying to pick somebody up. Not a lot left there on the scrap heap. Yannick Ngakoue would be the one guy that is out there as a free agent. So we’ll see what the Bears do, but I keep hearing they want to add an edge rusher as soon as possible.”
Why Yannick Ngakoue? Well, mostly because he checks a lot of boxes that the Bears tend to look for in free agents during GM Ryan Poles’ time running the show. Plays a premium position? Check. Will be 30 or younger going into the season? Double check. Ngakoue just turned 28 back in March. Has a track record of success? Triple check. Ngakoue was a Pro Bowler in 2017 and is coming off a 9.5-sack season. Moreover, Ngakoue is averaging 8.9 sacks per year since the start of 2019. In other words, Ngakoue has been good *AND* consistent in recent years. This makes him an ideal target for these Bears, who could use a veteran presence who can still bring down the quarterback.
MORE: Why Is Yannick Ngakoue Still a Free Agent?
To be clear, Yannick Ngakoue isn’t the ONLY available pass rusher. Bears single-season sack record-holder Robert Quinn is still a free agent. As is three-time Pro Bowler Jadveon Clowney, whose name we threw around for consideration earlier in the offseason. Justin Houston, a four-time Pro Bowler, is also available in free agency. Houston has a history with Bears GM Ryan Poles from their shared time in Kansas City between 2011-18 and Head Coach Matt Eberflus from their time together with the Colts in 2019 and 2020. That might be an under-the-radar name to keep in mind as Chicago’s search for pass-rush help continues. There are others, but none as interesting as Ngakoue, Clowney, or Houston.
Bears rookies and quarterbacks report to training camp today. Meanwhile, the rest of the veterans begin reporting on Monday. So while the team’s 90-player summertime roster appears to be set for the moment, it seems like a shakeup could be coming soon. After all, the team would need to clear a roster spot if it were to sign any free agent off the street. With that in mind, it is clear that one player we need to keep tabs on here is Yannick Ngakoue. Because I don’t think it is a coincidence that Kaplan name-drops Ngakoue during a report in which he shares the Bears are looking for edge rusher help. This feels like one of those where there is smoke, there is fire situations. And it is one we’ll watch with great interest.
