Friday was a big day at Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears formally introduced their newest pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue. It was announced on Thursday evening that the Bears had agreed to a one-year deal with Ngakoue worth $10 million guaranteed to shore up the pass rush heading into the 2023 season. He spent last year with the Indianapolis Colts, totaling 29 tackles (eight for a loss), with 9.5 sacks and one forced fumble. Ngakoue was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft where he developed into a formidable pass rusher.
Since leaving the Jaguars, the 28-year-old has bounced around the league but believes he was always meant to wind up with the Bears at some point. During his introductory press conference, Ngakoue shared with the media why that’s the case.
“I feel like it was meant for me to be here,” Ngakoue said. “I actually have a bear tatted on my hand. I feel like that was a sign to me that I was always meant to be a Chicago Bear.”
Yannick Ngakoue – "I feel like I am meant to be here. I have a bear tattoo on my hand."
— CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) August 4, 2023
His tattoo is one thing, but Ngakoue shared other anecdotes about his connections with the Bears. When asked by ESPN 1000’s Peggy Kusinski about the history of the position in Chicago, Ngakoue quickly pointed to Julius Peppers as someone he watched closely.
His former defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, who coached Peppers with the Bears in the early 2010s, said Ngakoue shares similar traits to the future Hall of Famer. “He used to tell me we have a lot of the same attributes and I just have to tap into that skillset and show the work,” Ngakoue said.
Yannick Ngakoue loved watching Julius Peppers when he was on the Bears. Tries to incorporate parts of Peppers' game into his own.
Rod Marinelli coached both guys and told Ngakoue he has some similarities with Peppers.
— Alex Shapiro (@AlexShapiroNBCS) August 4, 2023
His best connection, however, might have come outside of the press conference. WGN sports reporter Jarrett Payton, the son of Bears legend Walter Payton, grabbed a photo with Ngakoue at Halas Hall and posted it on social media. Ngakoue shared it and said “Your Dad was my favorite player growing up. An honor. #Stutterstep.”
Your Dad was my favorite player growing up. An honor. #Stutterstep https://t.co/MXCm2yCVvo
— Yannick Ngakoue (@YannickNgakoue) August 4, 2023
Ngakoue has yet to practice with the Bears and will need to get up to speed in defensive meetings. But it seems like his arrival in Chicago truly was meant to be. Hopefully that means a big season for him and the Bears is on the horizon.
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