5 Bears Free Agents Most Likely to Walk This Offseason

3. Yannick Ngakoue, DE

Ngakoue was signed last season to provide much-needed help with the pass rush. Since being drafted in 2016, the journeyman had never posted less than 8 sacks in a season until this past one. However, he did only play in 13 games as well, the lowest of his career.

After the Bears acquired Montez Sweat at the trade deadline, it was looking like Ngakoue could see some more success by not getting so much attention. He unfortunately suffered a broken ankle in week 13 that landed him on season-ending IR. He ended the year with only four sacks and 22 total tackles, career lows in both.

Pass rush, similar to center, will be a focal point for the Bears throughout free agency and the draft. Coming off a down year and an injury is not ideal for Ngakoue and the Bears will likely let him walk instead of committing more money when they want to get younger at the position.

The edge class is deep this year so the Bears can potentially look for a replacement in the draft if they are unable to land one of the top options in free agency.