Yannick Ngakoue Just Fell Off Bears' Pass Rush Wishlist. Here's Why

Matt Eberflus confirmed this week that the Chicago Bears remain active in their efforts to upgrade the team's pass rush. He understands they couldn't address the edge positions as much as they'd hoped. DeMarcus Walker was a decent addition, but the team still lacks that guy capable of giving you 10+ sacks a year. Every top defense needs somebody like that. See Nick Bosa, T.J. Watt, and Micah Parsons as some examples. The Bears don't have anybody close to that and won't find them this year. Still, there are options available who can help. Probably the most popular name is Yannick Ngakoue.

The former 3rd round pick has 65 sacks in his career, including 9.5 last season for the Indianapolis Colts. He is only 28 years old. While not much help against the run, he understands how to get to the quarterback. Chicago has more than enough money to make a deal. It's odd they haven't made this move already. Well, there might be an explanation for that. According to Ngakoue himself in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, he is holding out hope to join a specific team this year.

“I definitely want to play for a contender, play for a team and an organization that wants to win a Super Bowl. That’s one of the things on my agenda, to be able to help and contribute to that. Hopefully I can get some great interest from a contender.”

Bears can't offer what Yannick Ngakoue seeks.

While they may feel they can compete this year, the reality is the outside perception of them is of a rebuilding team. They are two or three years away from serious contention. Ngakoue isn't likely to see them as a serious landing spot. The only way his mind would change is if they offered a lucrative contract, and Ryan Poles isn't going to do that. So unless the man's mind can be changed through persistent recruiting, the Bears will likely have to find their pass rush help somewhere else.

It isn't a surprise Yannick Ngakoue is taking this approach. He's at a point in his career where money is less of a concern. He has reached the playoffs only three times in eight seasons. The closest he got to a Super Bowl was in 2017 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, losing to New England in the AFC championship. One can understand his sense of urgency to get another crack. He's running out of time. His prime won't last much longer. He may not wish to waste them waiting for the Bears to get good.