5 Pending Free Agents Bears Should Let Walk This Offseason

Chicago Bears fans are fully in offseason mode after another disappointing NFL season. While promise was shown here and there, the Bears ultimately left fans wanting more, going 7-10 and missing the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 13 seasons.

The Bears faithful now wait to see how general manager Ryan Poles handles the offseason — especially free agency. Spotrac lists the Bears as having 16 pending free agents and while some don't deserve to be re-signed, others deserve another shot in the Windy City.

Let's look at five pending free agents who the Bears should let walk this offseason.

1. Yannick Ngakoue, DE

Bears fans expected a lot from Yannick Ngakoue after he signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the franchise last offseason. After all, Chicago finished with the fewest sacks in 2022 (20) and was getting a former Pro Bowl defensive end who recorded 19.5 sacks across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Unfortunately, Ngakoue couldn't live up to his lofty price tag. The former Maryland star finished with career-lows in tackles (22), lost yardage tackles (6), and sacks (4.0). If that isn't awful enough, Pro Football Focus gave him a defensive grade of 39.9 for his efforts (or lack thereof), resulting in his being the second-worst-graded edge defender out of 112 eligible players.

Whether Ngakoue wants another $10.5 million or is willing to take a pay cut, the Bears must let him walk. He just isn't the same player that he once was and rostering him while his decline continues would be a massive mistake. It's better to replace him with a cheaper, younger option at this stage.