Chicago Bears Rumors: Yannick Ngakoue interested in joining team

The Chicago Bears have a clear need for a veteran pass rusher at the start of their training camp and there is an expectation that the team will add one before the start of the season.

Bears general manager Ryan Poles met with reporters on Tuesday and while he did praise the young group of pass rushers that the team has, he did indicate that the team will be in the market for adding to the position.

The Bears are certainly doing their homework on the free-agent pass rushers that are available and former Pro-Bowler Justin Houston is one of the veterans that the team remains interested in.

Another name that has been popular among Bears fans is Yannick Ngakoue.

Ngakoue, considering his familiarity with the Bears’ system, is believed to be the best fit on the market for the team. Ngakoue spent the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and totaled 9.5 sacks.

After previously being believed to be interested in playing for a contender, Ngakoue has softened his desires and is open to playing for any team. That could be the premise of Chris Emma’s report for 670 The Score:

"Ngakoue, 28, posted 9.5 sacks last season with the Colts. He has posted no fewer than eight sacks over seven NFL seasons. Ngakoue has interest in signing with the Bears, according to multiple sources. He is seeking a multi-year deal having played with four different teams over the last three seasons.-Chris Emma via 670 The Score"

The Chicago Bears may be nearing an addition to their defensive line. 

It would seem that the Bears are deciding between Ngakoue and Houston.

At 28 years old, there is no doubt that Ngakoue would be the better fit for the Bears moving forward. The issue would be how the Bears want to address this position.

The Bears presumably will have a high draft pick in 2024 as they hold the rights to not only their own first-round pick but also the Carolina Panthers’ first-round pick. Meaning, the team will be in a prime position to select an elite pass rusher at the top of the draft.

If Ngakoue is adamant about his asking price and getting a multi-year deal, Houston may be the option that the Bears fall back on.