The Chicago Bears were statistically the worst pass rush in the NFL last year. Ahead of their first preseason game, they finally found their pass rusher.
The Chicago Bears were the worst team in the NFL last season if you go by win-loss record. While quarterback Justin Fields showed promise, Chicago's pass rush was one of many factors in why they failed to win games. The Bears could not get to the quarterback at all, picking up just 22 sacks and generating just 172 pressures, both of which were the worst among all NFL teams. The Bears didn't get that big name early on in free agency or in the NFL Draft.
That all changed on Thursday, Aug. 3.
According to ESPN senior NFL insider Adam Schefter, the Bears are signing former Indianapolis Colts defensive end to a one-year, $10.5 million contract. Their pass rusher finally arrived.
Bears finally bring in their big-name pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue
In case Chicago fans needed further confirmation, Ngakoue tweeted out a Bear emoji shortly after reports of his signing dropped.
The Bears were a team that had many needs across the roster, which they did address. They signed linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and T.J. Ward, traded for wide receiver D.J. Moore to give Fields a top target downfield, and they drafted Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright to give the quarterback protection in the pocket. They did bring in a pair of defensive ends in free agency in Rasheem Green and DeMarcus Walker. But they were missing that one big name that is a proven option off the edge to get to the quarterback.
Ngakoue spent the past season with the Colts, playing under defensive coordinator Gus Bradley for the second consecutive year (2021 with Las Vegas Raiders). In 15 regular-season games, Ngakoue recorded 29 combined tackles (18 solo, 11 assisted), 16 quarterback hits, 9.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. Additionally, Ngakoue recorded 27 quarterback pressures, per Pro Football Reference.
In each of his seven seasons in the NFL, Ngakoue has never recorded less than eight sacks. That's some welcome news for the Bears and the fanbase.
With the NFC North virtually wide open, the Bears have looked for a pass rusher that can get to Jared Goff, Kirk Cousins, and Jordan Love, as well as the other quarterbacks on their schedule. That player was Ngakoue.