The Chicago Bears made a splash signing Thursday night with the addition of one of the NFL's most consistent pass rushers, Yannick Ngakoue, to a one-year, $10.5 million contract.
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 immediately fixes the Bears' most glaring weakness on defense. Chicago ranked last in the NFL in 2022 with just 22 sacks and and 172 quarterback pressures.
Despite his time with the Indianapolis Colts, Ngakoue has never played for Bears coach Matt Eberflus. But the defensive scheme is the same, making him a natural fit at defensive end.
Yannick Ngakoue had 9.5 sacks last year and has been a reliable pass rusher throughout his career, never finishing with fewer than eight in his seven pro seasons.
Ngakoue's best season came in 2017 when he totaled 12 sacks. He has 19.5 sacks over the last two years.
What Yannick Ngakoue means for the Bears defense
With Ngakoue in the fold, the Bears now have a legitimate and feared pass rusher on the edge. Prior to his signing, Chicago relied on players like free-agent signing DeMarcus Walker and veteran Trevis Gipson to be their primary sack producers. Now, both players can settle in as complementary rushers opposite Ngakoue on passing downs.
While it's true that Ngakoue isn't a top-tier run defender, quite frankly, it doesn't matter. The Bears needed an injection of pass-rush talent. He's that and more.
Ngakoue will impact more than just the pass rush. His relentless pursuit will force opposing quarterbacks into errant throws, giving cornerbacks Kyler Gordon, Jaylon Johnson, and safeties Eddie Jackson and Jaquon Brisker more favorable turnover opportunities. The trickle-back effect of his presence in the front-seven will be remarkable.
Chicago Bears fans were clamoring for General Manager Ryan Poles to add a pass rusher in free agency. When he didn't, fear that the Bears would play the 2023 season with a ragtag group of edge defenders ensued.
That fear is gone now, and it's been replaced by fear that the Bears defense will cause opposing offensive coordinators.
In Poles We Trust.