NFL analyst Peter King believes there’s a significant chance defensive end Yannick Ngakoue of the Chicago Bears will be playing for a new team in the upcoming season.
Despite being only 29 years old, Ngakoue has spent the most time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team that originally selected him. Ngakoue accumulated 37.5 sacks over his four years with the Jaguars. He was a crucial member of the “Sacksonville” squad, which was narrowly robbed of a Super Bowl berth due to controversy.
There is just one other year when Ngakoue played in every game and didn’t reach double digit sack totals, aside from his debut year when he had eight sacks. Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks during that 2018 season while playing for the Jaguars.
Since Ngakoue was placed on inactive reserve (IR), it will be guaranteed that his final season of action was in 2021. King uses this information to support his assertion that Ngakoue will perform abroad in 2024.
Ngakoue, 28, who placed himself on injured reserve in Chicago last week due to a fractured ankle, is likely to play in 2024 for another team. In the span of five calendar years, that would be his sixth team. According to King, he would be 29 years old.
Prior to deadline acquisitions, Yannick Ngakoue and the Chicago Bears’ pass rush struggled.
The Chicago Bears made a significant purchase of Washington Commanders pass-rusher Montez Sweat as the trade deadline drew near. The Bears were already in a situation where it would be difficult for them to make the playoffs, so giving up a second-round pick for Sweat was met with criticism.
Though there was a lot of initial criticism, most Bears supporters have now altered their minds. Sweat’s play significantly altered the team’s pass rush and culture.
Sweat’s inclusion also led to an increase in Ngakoue’s output. Ngakoue had four sacks total; half of those came after the Sweat trade in Week 9.
Sweat performed flawlessly in the first game against the Cleveland Browns without Ngakoue. Despite his 2.5 sacks and one tackle for loss, the Bears were unable to win the interconference match.
The Chicago Bears organization has not confirmed this, but there will be plenty of chances to sign a younger pass rusher in free agency.
Next year, a large number of pass-rushing specialists will become available as free agents.
For the 2024 season, players like Romeo Okwara, Bryce Huff, Danielle Hunter, Carl Lawson, and Chase Young will all be available. Young and Sweat have a proven ability to play well together, even though he might be a bit too expensive for the Bears.
The Bears are planning to make Hunter a priority free agent target, according to Bears Insider Brad Biggs. According to Briggs, Montez Sweat’s addition was only the start.
“The Bears got a close look Monday at one player who should be a top-five free agent (maybe No. 1 when you exclude quarterbacks such as Kirk Cousins) in Vikings defensive end Danielle Hunter. Hunter’s one-year contract for this season prevents the Vikings from using the franchise or transition tag to secure him. That means Hunter, 29, will reach the open market unless the Vikings extend him before mid-March,” said Briggs.” “I’m not sure the Bears want to sink big money into another edge rusher after trading for Sweat and extending him, but it’s something Poles and his staff will have to explore. Why? Adding Sweat to upgrade the defensive line was just the beginning. The Bears need a second threat off the edge to take the next step on defense.”
An extension with Yannick Ngakoue is increasingly improbable given the availability of younger, more capable alternatives throughout the offseason.
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