As the Chicago Bears conclude their preseason and approach final roster cuts, a few questions remain unanswered.
One of the biggest uncertainties this offseason has been the pass-rushing unit. Aside from Montez Sweat, the Bears have struggled to find a consistent complement. However, in the preseason, a couple of players have emerged.
Rookie fifth-round pick Austin Booker and veteran Daniel Hardy have both performed exceptionally well and are likely to make the final roster. Booker could potentially replace DeMarcus Walker as the starter alongside Sweat.
Despite this, the Bears would be relying on a player with no previous starting experience. Due to this uncertainty, many fans have called for the team to bring back a familiar face to bolster their pass rush. According to Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox, that’s exactly what the Bears are expected to do.
“Yannick Ngakoue is coming off a bit of a down season but has a strong track record,” Knox wrote.
Ngakoue recorded a career-low 4.0 sacks with the Bears in 2023, a season cut short by injury. While it’s unclear if he could have reached double digits in sacks had he played the full season, Ngakoue might have improved alongside the rest of the defense as the season progressed.
Re-signing Ngakoue would provide much-needed depth for the Bears’ pass rush. He could start alongside Sweat, with Booker serving as a rotational player. Hardy’s strong preseason could also carry over into the regular season, and Walker would still play a significant role.
This would give the Bears five solid pass rushers, including one elite talent and another with a history of recording over 10 sacks in every season except last year.
Knox also mentioned that Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer recently revealed that the Bears have been discussing bringing Ngakoue back, indicating that this idea has real potential.
With final rosters being set soon, Ngakoue is likely to receive interest from multiple teams. Given the Bears’ upward trajectory, re-signing Ngakoue could be the perfect opportunity for him to stage a comeback.
General Manager Ryan Poles should act quickly to finalize this signing before another team snatches up arguably the last legitimate pass rusher available in free agency.
