The pros and cons of the Bears bringing back defensive end Yannick Ngakoue

It wasn't the most flattering stat line, but Ngakoue also missed out on four games playing alongside Sweat on the defensive line. Following his injury, Bears head coach Matt Eberflus commended his efforts calling him "a true pro" and "a great teammate" while helping the younger guys in the locker room.

In the end, it was a disappointing debut season in Chicago for Ngakoue to conclude his eighth season in the NFL. Perhaps following his rehab from his major injury, the two sides could look to run it back during the 2024 season with a lesser role and smaller price tag placed on his expectations, but would either side agree to that?

Cons of Bringing Back Yannick Ngakoue

This is where the cons come into play for the Bears' pending free agent. Who's to say the Bears' front office will be willing to bring Ngakoue back after investing $10 million into his 4.0 sack season? 

Although Ngakoue's signing with the Bears in general was basically done to keep the team cap complacent, the team was also desperate to find a productive pass rusher after ranking last in sacks in 2022. He clearly could not fill that role leading the Bears to pursue and acquire Sweat at the trade deadline.

On the other side of it, who's to say Ngakoue would want to return to the Bears and play under Eberflus' defensive scheme again after posting his worst statistical season of his career in the NFL. While it'll be great to have the veteran presence back in the locker room and rotating off the edge, it's hard to see an avenue where Ngakoue returns to Chicago in 2024, but there's still a small chance it happens. 

My Prediction

I believe that the Bears will look elsewhere to acquire a top talent off the edge to pair with Sweat and will pass on bringing back Ngakoue in free agency. He fulfilled his purpose with the team in 2023 by starting 13 games and holding down the edge until Sweat arrived. Now, his talents are no longer needed in Chicago.

Following his rehab and eventual return to the field, the best decision for Ngakoue's career is to land with a contending team during the second-half of the season where he can be eased back into a role on the defensive line and lend a hand toward a playoff push. Depending on the Bears' level of success in 2024, there's still a slim possibility that can be done with his former team.

As for his free agent market price, our AtoZ Sports cap experts project Ngakoue to land a much cheaper 1 year, $4 million fully guaranteed contract coming off his major injury. It's the exact type of deal we commonly see teams making late in the season to bolster their defensive line ahead of the playoffs with an aging veteran.

It's hard to imagine Ngakoue will be a free agent priority for any team but by the time the season comes around and injuries happen, his services will be called upon by some team (perhaps even the Bears) as a playoff mercenary.