In an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio, former Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and Chicago Bears edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue confirmed that he’s receiving interest from teams and hopes to sign a new deal before training camp. While he’s not focused on where exactly his next stop is, he is ready to take the field, someplace, once again.

“Honestly, I haven’t really been thinking about an offer or details in specific at all…. The only thing I’ve been thinking about is taking that turf again and re-establishing myself on the field as one of the fiercest competitors in the game today. That’s the only thing on my mind. Everything else will come after that. I have to re-establish myself and remind them of why I’m one of the top [pass] rushers. That’s the only thing on my mind.”

Ngakoue, 29, is coming off of a season-ending ankle injury in 2023 after playing 13 games for the Bears. He managed to earn just four sacks and seven quarterback hits before his season came to an end.

The Bucs were able to attract many of their own free players back this offseason, but they might get better with a few of transactions in the trade market.

What Does the Market for Ngakoue Look Like?
Ngakoue recorded 12 sacks in 2017 with the Jaguars
Copyright Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

A third-round pick out of Maryland in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ngakoue emerged onto the scene in a hurry with eight sacks as a rookie. In his second season, he followed that up with six forced fumbles and 12 sacks and made his first and only Pro Bowl.

He played four seasons for Jacksonville before bouncing between the Vikings and Ravens in 2020 and the Raiders, Colts, and Bears in 2021-23, respectively.

Ngakoue has racked up 69 sacks in his career, including two double-digit sack seasons. He’s also caused 21 fumbles, had two interceptions, 224 tackles, and 71 tackles for loss.

Ngakoue inked a $10.5 million deal with the Bears in August last season. According to Spotrac, Ngakoue has made more than $53 million in his career.

GIVEMESPORT Key Stat: Before 2023, Ngakoue never recorded less than 8.0 sacks in a single season.

In the interview with SiriusXM, Ngakoue didn’t provide a lot of hints about what teams he’s been talking to.

“Definitely been in conversations with teams. When the appropriate chance presents itself, everyone should know.”

But what teams make sense for a talent like Ngakoue?

At this stage of his career and as largely a designated pass rusher, there’s undoubtedly room for that kind of quality along many contenders’ defensive lines. However, Ngakoue recorded just four sacks in 13 games for the Bears and, again, is coming off of a season-ending ankle injury.

Some teams that could make sense include:

Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons were projected as a team to pick the first defender off the board at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft but opted for quarterback Michael Penix Jr. They have Arnold Ebiketie on the squad, who had six sacks last season, but they’re a contender that could use as much pass rush support as possible.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A borderline candidate, the Buccaneers are hoping to capture another NFC South crown. They need pass-rushing help with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, who has not quite lived up to his billing since getting picked in the first round a few years ago. Additional pass rush help is never bad, with Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea also along the defensive line.
Washington Commanders: The Commanders aren’t contenders, but they could pay Ngakoue, and he’s likely an upgrade over someone like Clelin Ferrell. The Commanders have good inside defensive linemen, Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, but Ngakoue would assist out the edge rushers, Ferrell and Dorance Armstrong.

No matter what team Ngakoue lands with, he has an ideal situation in mind and an optimistic mindset.

“I just hope that I’m somewhere before training camp starts because everyone needs to go through a training camp in order to have the kind of season they want to have. The only thing that I’m worried about is being able to help an organization, help out the young people and those that are veterans as well to be able to obtain a Super Bowl ring and just bring wonderful enthusiasm to the building wherever I’m at.”