The Chicago Bears entered this season with a questionable pass rush, but they had the same problem a year ago.
In 2023, they attempted to address the issue by bringing in Yannick Ngakoue, a former Pro Bowl defensive end who had racked up 19.5 sacks in the previous two seasons. Unfortunately, the signing simply didn't work out.
Ngakoue was a shell of his former self in Chicago, picking up just four sacks in 13 games before suffering a season-ending broken ankle. He was cleared to return early in the offseason, but no one has yet offered the 29-year-old an enticing contract.
It doesn't appear the Bears will bring back Ngakoue after trading for former Seattle Seahawks defensive end Darrell Taylor, who was outstanding in Sunday's win over the Tennessee Titans. But Ngakoue still could catch on elsewhere.
On Tuesday, Bleacher Report's Scouting Department named the New York Jets as the top fit for Ngakoue, who remains unsigned after his offseason surgery.
"The Jets could use at least one more guy who can get after passers if the defense is going to reach its potential," the authors said. "Even if/when Haason Reddick comes back, the Jets probably lost more than they gained at the position. Yannick Ngakoue is still a useful, albeit one-dimensional, edge-rusher who could fill out the room."
Though he made his lone Pro Bowl appearance in 2017 for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Ngakoue had a very productive career up until last season. The eight-year veteran has 69 sacks and 21 forced fumbles in 123 games played.
The Jets unwittingly put themselves in a tough situation with the Reddick trade, and now find themselves down an edge rusher. Ngakoue could be the perfect short-term solution, and may even rediscover his old form, making him the bargain of September.
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