Free-agent Yannick Ngakoue aiming to re-establish himself as 'one of the best' pass rushers

For the second consecutive offseason, pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue waits to find a landing spot.

Last year, the veteran edge presence sat on the open market until early August before signing a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears. The season didn’t go smashingly, as he generated four sacks in 13 games and was generally slowed before suffering a broken ankle in Week 14 that ended his campaign — his second straight season cut short by injury.

Ngakoue told SiriusXM NFL Radio on Wednesday that he’s aiming to prove he still has juice left in the tank by getting after the quarterback when he gets a chance.

“He admitted that he has not been considering any specific offers or details related to his free agency. His main focus right now is to return to the field and reassert his position as one of today’s most formidable competitors. Everything else, he said, will come after that. His current priority is to re-establish his reputation and remind people why he is one of the leading pass rushers. This, he emphasized, is his sole concern at the moment.”

Ngakoue began his career in Jacksonville, where he had an impressive start, securing 37.5 sacks in four seasons. Since then, he has transitioned into a journeyman pass rusher. In 2020, he was traded to Minnesota, where he only played six games before being transferred to Baltimore. He went on to play for a season in Las Vegas and a year in Indianapolis, where he performed commendably, contributing 10 sacks and 9.5 sacks respectively.

Ngakoue implied that his delayed contract signing in Chicago, which occurred mid-way through training camp, contributed to his struggles with the Bears last season.

“He expressed his optimism, saying, “I have a feeling everything will fall into place perfectly. As I’ve said before, everything occurs for a reason. God is the ultimate planner, and at the end of it all, my focus is solely on self-improvement. I constantly ponder how I can enhance my skills and what I could’ve done better the previous year. I don’t make excuses; instead, I hope to find myself in a position before the commencement of training camp, as everyone needs a decent training period to achieve their desired season. It’s similar to a boxer’s situation; without a proper training camp, the chances of getting knocked out in the ring increase. So, preparation is everything. My only concern is to contribute to an organization, assist the younger players as well as the veterans, and bring a positive energy to whatever place I find myself in with the ultimate goal of securing a Super Bowl ring.”

The potential landing spot for the 29-year-old pass rusher, who may have slowed down, could hinge on his salary expectations. With his recent performance and injury history, securing another $10 million paycheck might be challenging. However, the league is always in need of players who can pressure the quarterback.

“He affirmed, “I have indeed been in discussions with teams. When the ideal opportunity arises, everyone will be aware.”

The uncertainty lies in whether we’ll have knowledge prior to training camps or if a position will only become available following an injury.