The Chicago Bears are signing Yannick Ngakoue to a one-year deal worth $10.5 million with $10 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Chicago has been in desperate need of pass rush help, and general manager Ryan Poles added the top free agent defensive end in Ngakoue to help a group that managed a league-low 20 sacks last season.
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the “Bears targeted Ngakoue for a while, stayed patient.”
Last season, Ngakoue registered 9.5 sacks with the Indianapolis Colts, and he’s totaled at least eight sacks in each of his seven NFL seasons. By comparison, safety Jaquan Brisker led the Bears in sacks last season with four.
Ngakoue has 65 sacks and 21 forced fumbles in 110 career games, including 102 starts.
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.
His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed the deal Thursday night.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2023
Ngakoue joins a defensive end group that includes DeMarcus Walker, coming off a career year with the Tennessee Titans, and returning veteran Trevis Gipson, who’s looking to rebound following a down year. Dominique Robinson and Rasheem Green round out the rotational group.
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