Bears could bring back Pro-Bowl defensive end, but are there better options?

The Chicago Bears are not fully satisfied with their defensive personnel, which is why they are considering bringing back a free agent defensive end who was on the team last year.

29-year-old Yannick Ngakoue is available on the market right now, but it might behoove Chicago to reclaim him with a new deal, according to The Athletic’s Kevin Fishbain.

“I imagine general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus don’t need a full week of camp to know they could use another D-lineman who can get to the passer,” Fishbain wrote. “Ngakoue is still available and knows the system. … I also wouldn’t rule out another three-technique joining the rotation at some point. There isn’t a lot of depth on the interior.”

The Bears signed Ngakoue to a one-year, $10.5M contract in August 2023. Ngakoue started 13 games for Chicago before breaking his ankle in Week 14, which prematurely ended his season.

He was a Pro-Bowler in 2017 as a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Ngakoue is a safe option for Chicago, but the Bears are also looking elsewhere as they seek to improve their defense. Emmanuel Ogbah is another name linked to Chicago, so there’s no guarantee that Ngakoue will be a Bear in 2024.

Then again, Ngakoue is long overdue for some geographic stability. Before his one season with Chicago in 2023, Ngakoue played for four teams in three seasons dating back to his departure from the Jaguars in 2020.

More NFL: Bears rookie phenom surprisingly linked to role as primary punt returner

Author(s)

Colin Keane is a contributing journalist for The Sporting News. He has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Villanova University and currently resides in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

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