What Does Yannick Ngakoue Bring To The Chicago Bears’ Defense?

I won’t mince words: with Yannick Ngakoue now signed in Chicago, the Bears’ defense is officially complete.

They may not end up as the NFL’s best defense in 2023, but with a pass-rusher that can threaten the edge on 3rd downs the Bears have a reliable path towards getting off the field on defense. Ngakoue brings speed and a variety of pass rush moves to Chicago’s EDGE room, and every one of them will be needed throughout the 2023 season.

Yannick’s pass-rushing production speaks for itself — with 9.5 sacks last year, 19.5 sacks over the last two years, he’s a consistent threat on the edge of a defense.

But how does he win? What tools does he use to get the better of the Offensive Tackles he faces? Why was he a Free Agent for so long? What drawbacks does he bring with him to the Bears’ defense?

I dove into Ngakoue’s tape in an effort to answer all of those questions and more and threw together a short breakdown video — check it out and let me know what you think!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT3r1EgwHGU?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

TL;DW

This video is actually quite short for my usual standard (it’s a ~7 minute runtime), but I posted a few clips on ~~Twitter~~ X that show off the highlights of what you should expect to see from Chicago’s newest EDGE:

1. Chicago traded away one cross-chopping EDGE rusher only to sign another:

Does this pass rush move look familiar #Bears fans?

I, for one, think it’s almost too on the nose to see a speed-rush merc leave the team only for another speed-rush merc to take his place Yannick doesn’t have Quinn’s bend, but their playstyles are hilariously similar. pic.twitter.com/MSvEQarmzE

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) August 4, 2023

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2. Yannick often draws extra attention from offenses, opening up defensive possibilities for his teammates like this clip here:

Favorite example of what Yannick brings to the #Bears so far: Titans’ OT Nicholas Petit-Frere is notably slow down the edge, so the Titans commit the RB on a chip.

The Colts anticipate this and blitz his side. Because Yannick is getting doubled, nobody’s home. Easy sack pic.twitter.com/kg1Yj4PBdQ

— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) August 4, 2023