The Chicago Bears pass rush just improved drastically with this free agent signing

The rumors have been swirling for quite some time now. Since the end of the 2023 NFL Draft, fans and analysts wondered how the Chicago Bears pass rush was going to improve based on only the signings of DeMarcus Walker and Rasheem Green. We all waited to see if they'd address the end position in the draft. Instead, they drafted three defensive tackles. Building from the inside out makes sense, but now I'm hoping that Yannick Ngakoue brings the outside pressure needed for this defense.

Ryan Poles made it known that the team was interested in bringing in more help on the outside of the defensive line. He also made it known that it was a two-way street and the team couldn't force a player to sign. Rumors were being floated around about both Yannick Ngakoue and Justin Houston. My first choice would have been Houston on a one-year deal despite him being older. Houston is a better all-around end who can play the run. Yannick Ngakoue is a great pass rusher, better than Houston even, but he has always struggled vs the run.

The Chicago Bears ink Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year deal

The Chicago Bears signed Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million. Ngakoue is definitely worth that price. It makes him only the 19th-highest-paid defensive end in the league. Nicholas Moreano of CHGO pointed out that Ngakoue has 65 sacks in his career playing for five different teams. He is tied for the seventh-most sacks during that span. He is among the best in the league as only Aaron Donald, T.J. Watt, Cameron Jordan, Chandler Jones, Myles Garrett, and Khalil Mack have more sacks than Ngakoue during that time.

The one-year deal means that Chicago will need to address the position again next year. Hopefully, Ryan Poles lands a defensive end in the draft. However, for now, they have a defensive end who has seven seasons with more than eight sacks. Ngakoue is only 28 and could be brought back in 2024 if he proves himself worthy this season. He played for the Colts last season, obviously not under Matt Eberflus or Alan Williams. He may struggle in the run game, but he has 193 pressures (38.6 per season) throughout his time in the NFL.

This was a huge signing for Ryan Poles and the Chicago Bears, Fans should be extremely excited and this helps propel them into the playoff contender category. Yannick Ngakoue was the perfect fit for the Bears this season. Now, who is likely to be left off the 53-man roster?