LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Friday’s setup was nothing new for Yannick Ngakoue.
The pass-rusher answered questions at his fifth introductory news conference in five seasons about his new set of teammates, coaches and expectations.
For a pass-rusher as productive as Ngakoue, having racked up at least eight sacks in every season of his NFL career, the merry-go-round of teams — which now includes the Chicago Bears — has become the norm since the 2020 season.
Yet, something about this feels different for Ngakoue. Pointing to a tattoo of a bear on his right hand, the pass-rusher said his journey to Chicago aligns with where he is in his career. If the defensive end replicates the 9.5-sack season he had a year ago in Indianapolis, a long-term deal by the age of 30 might be attainable.
“It was a great fit,” Ngakoue said. “Going back to what this culture means here, just the history here and also, it’s a great transition — easy transition — with my position coach [Travis Smith] and my defensive coordinator [Alan Williams].”
For the Bears, getting any level of production similar to what Ngakoue generated the past four seasons would make the one-year, $10.5 million investment worth it.
Chicago’s pursuit of pass rush help is as pivotal to the team’s growth as the additions the Bears made on offense to help Justin Fields become a franchise quarterback. General manager Ryan Poles has remained steady the past few months, finding ways to add to the roster while being realistic about what the Bears can do in one offseason.
But the glaring need along the defensive line that generated 20 sacks (the fewest in the NFL) and pressured opposing quarterbacks on 22% of pass plays (second worst) could not be ignored.
The addition of DeMarcus Walker at edge rusher was not enough….
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