NFL veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue signed a new contract with the Chicago Bears. Ngakoue, a former third-round pick, spent the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts but has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Las Vegas Raiders.
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
Yannick Ngakoue, Chicago Bears, Agree to Contract
While the 2022 iteration of the Indianapolis Colts did not have that much success, Ngakoue himself had a solid year. Starting and appearing in 15 games, the pass rusher finished the season with 9.5 sacks, 29 tackles, eight tackles-for-loss, 16 quarterback hits, and one forced fumble.
Yannick Ngakoue originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Maryland product wasted no time in outplaying his draft position. Appearing in all 16 games as a rookie while making 15 starts, the edge rusher finished his inaugural season with eight sacks, 23 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, 14 quarterback hits, four forced fumbles, and one interception.
Ngakoue built on that impressive campaign and put together an even better 2017. Helping the Jaguars reach the AFC Championship Game, Ngakoue finished his season with 12 sacks, 30 tackles, 10 tackles-for-loss, 23 quarterback hits, and a league-leading six forced fumbles. This impressive season earned Ngakoue his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
After two more strong seasons in Jacksonville, the Jaguars traded Ngakoue to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a second-round pick and a conditional fifth-round pick. This marriage lasted only six games, as the Vikings traded Ngakoue to the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for a third-round pick midway through that very same season. During his time between the two teams, Ngakoue played in 15 games while recording eight sacks, seven tackles, seven tackles-for-loss, and 11 quarterback hits.
Yannick Ngakoue entered free agency following the 2020 season and signed a contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. During his lone season in the desert, the Maryland product recorded 10 sacks, 28 tackles, eight sacks, 23 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles.
Main photo: Robert Scheer – USA Today Sports
