Former Bear Suddenly a Premium Free-Agent Target After Week 1

Former Chicago Bears pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue is surprisingly still a free agent after Week 1 of the 2024 NFL regular season.

Ngakoue didn’t receive much free agent interest in the offseason, outside of working out for the Miami Dolphins in July and the Bears speaking with the veteran defensive end last month. That said, interest in Ngakoue’s skillset could pick up as fans weren’t happy with how some of their respective teams performed in Week 1.

Teams such as the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens could all use a pass rusher like Ngakoue. However, Raiders fans have been clamoring the most on social media for a potential reunion with the veteran.

The 29-year-old Ngakoue played with the Raiders in 2021 after spending the previous season with the Minnesota Vikings and Ravens. He produced 28 combined tackles, 23 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, eight tackles for loss, three pass deflections, and two forced fumbles. 

The veteran defender was all over the field for Vegas as he recorded 36 quarterback pressures, which was the second-highest on the team behind Maxx Crosby.

Raider fans remember that production and want that back, especially after second-year EDGE rusher Tyree Wilson suffered a knee sprain in Week 1. In addition to Wilson, the Raiders had to put Malcolm Koonce on injured reserve last week because of a knee injury.

Therefore, all signs point to the former Bears defensive lineman ending up in Vegas for a second stint. 

However, Raiders fans should temper their expectations as Ngakoue only had 11 quarterback pressures, seven quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, and four sacks in the Windy City last year.

If the Raiders decide to go in a different direction (Carl Lawson, Romeo Okwara, or Shaq Lawson), the Ravens are the next best option after veteran linebacker Kyle Van Noy suffered an orbital fracture in Week 1.

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