{"id":143366,"date":"2023-08-04T15:30:22","date_gmt":"2023-08-04T19:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=143366"},"modified":"2023-08-04T16:34:45","modified_gmt":"2023-08-04T20:34:45","slug":"bears-ngakoue-answer-critics-eberflus-lewis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2023\/08\/04\/bears-ngakoue-answer-critics-eberflus-lewis\/","title":{"rendered":"Bears’ Yannick Ngakoue Offers Simple Answer to Critics"},"content":{"rendered":"

And just like that, the Chicago Bears seemingly resolved their greatest lingering question mark on an otherwise overhauled roster, adding Pro Bowl pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue<\/a> on a one-year $10.5 million contract<\/a> less than two full weeks into training camp.<\/p>\n

Yannick Ngakoue Claps Back at Critics After Joining Bears<\/h2>\n

Yannick Ngakoue’s Run Defense in Question<\/h3>\n

Ngakoue, 28, comes with a track record of producing sacks despite changing teams three times over the last two years.<\/p>\n

He also comes with questions about his run defense to which he had a direct response.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll see this year,\u201d Ngakoue said to the gaggle of reporters during his introductory presser at Halas Hall after Friday\u2019s practice.<\/p>\n

The former No. 69 overall pick of the 2016 NFL Draft earned a 56.9 pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus<\/a> in 2022. That is the lowest mark of his career. He recorded 9.5 sacks for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022.<\/p>\n

That grade would have ranked third among the Bears\u2019 returning defensive linemen. It would have put him behind EDGE rusher Trevis Gipson<\/a> and defensive tackle Justin Jones<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And Ngakoue\u2019s 43.7 rush grade was just the fifth-best of his career.<\/p>\n

But anyone worried that he won\u2019t \u201cfit in\u201d with the Bears after head coach Matt Eberflus<\/a> said in no uncertain terms that he would have to on early downs i.e. against the threat of the run might want to relax a bit. That rush defense grade would have beaten<\/a> out every one of the Bears\u2019 returning linemen from what was the NFL’s 32nd-ranked run defense.<\/p>\n

Previous free agent signings DeMarcus Walker<\/a> and Rasheem Green<\/a> both graded out better than Ngakoue last season. But both are more tweeners than pure pass rushers as he is making them ideal fits against the run.<\/p>\n

That means the Bears can focus their additional support to Ngakoue\u2019s side assuming those guys can hold up as advertised.<\/p>\n

In the end, an already re-tooled defense just got a little more toothy with Ngakoue\u2019s addition.<\/p>\n

They are surely more than willing to bank on his proven history. A history that includes a Pro Bowl appearance in 2017 \u2013 rather than a down season on a bad Colts defense. Especially considering their relatively minor investment in a player they should be able to flip at the deadline if this thing goes off the rails.<\/p>\n

Bears Add Blocking Specialist From Rival Packers<\/h3>\n

Last offseason, the Bears hired Luke Getsy<\/a> as offensive coordinator and signed guard Lucas Patrick<\/a> and wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown<\/a> away from their most-hated rival, the Green Bay Packers.<\/p>\n

This offseason they continued bringing in players familiar with Gety\u2019s scheme, adding a pair of tight ends.<\/p>\n

They brought in Robert Tonyan<\/a> during the first wave of free agency. And, before Friday’s practice, adding veteran Marcedes Lewis. While Tonyan is more like a wide receiver than an in-line tight end, Lewis, 39, is one of the best blockers at his position, having made an 18-year career out of it.<\/p>\n

But the 6-foot-6, 267-pounder can still make things happen in the passing game too.<\/p>\n

\n

Marcedes Lewis is everything you could ever ask for in a teammate and a leader.<\/p>\n

Will always appreciate his time with the #Packers<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/SW99srohVX<\/a><\/p>\n

— Eli Berkovits (@BookOfEli_NFL) August 4, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n