Yannick Ngakoue spent 2025 out of football. The veteran edge rusher is aiming to return to the NFL this season, however.
Ngakoue worked on returning to full health last year but has spent the past several months preparing for a resumption of his playing career, NFL insider Jordan Schultz notes. The former Pro Bowler has made a total of 140 regular and postseason appearances in the league, posting consistent sack production for much of that time. Ngakoue was unable to land a long-term commitment from a team after playing out his rookie contract, though.
The former second-rounder spent his first four seasons with the Jaguars. Since then, Ngakoue has seen time with the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts, Bears and Patriots. After positing no fewer than eight sacks during each of his first seven NFL seasons, he managed only four in Chicago during the 2023 campaign. That was followed by another underwhelming showing in 2024, which was split between Baltimore and New England.
Run defense has always been a sore spot in Ngakoue’s case and a key factor in his career lacking a lengthy stay with any one employer. That, coupled with a recent downturn in sack output, has helped result in a lengthy free agent stay for the 31-year-old. On the other hand, plenty of teams could use a veteran depth addition along the edge in advance of Week 1.
The Falcons signed Cameron Sample yesterday but their efforts to bring in other options could continue in the near future. The Bears, meanwhile, showed interest in a second Ngakoue deal before he departed in 2024 (although Chicago has a new coaching staff in place compared to that time). Nevertheless, pass rush has been a talking point in the case of the Bears throughout the offseason.
In any event, a deal low on financial risk awaits Ngakoue whenever his next NFL gig gets lined up. It will be interesting to see if he manages to find a home prior to Week 1.
