The Chicago Bears have been in search for a proven pass rusher leading up to the start of the 2023 NFL season. Despite having talent at linebacker and in the secondary, this was an issue during a three-win 2022 campaign (20 total sacks).
General manager Ryan Poles and Co. hope that they have solved that issue with Chicago’s most-recent addition.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have signed Pro Bowl edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year, $10.5 million contract with $10 million guaranteed.
Ngakoue, 28, was among the best players remaining on the NFL free agent market before signing with the Bears. He recorded 16 QB hits and 9.5 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts a season ago. Thus far in his career, Ngakoue has put up double-digit sacks twice in seven seasons. He’s added eight sack or more three other times.
Related: Chicago Bears standing in Sportsnaut’s NFL defense rankings
Chicago’s leading returning sack getter from a season ago is safety Jaquan Brisker, who recorded four as a rookie in 2022.
Earlier in the offseason, Chicago was able to add former Denver Broncos, Houston Texans and Tennessee Titans defensive end DeMarcus Walker to the mix. He recorded 16 QB hits and seven sacks for the Titans last season.
The hope here is that these two will pair up to form a much better pass rush tandem than what the Bears saw last season.