One former member of the Chicago Bears is looking for his next opportunity and it sounds like he may find it very soon.
Former Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is one of the top free agents still available on the open market. Free agency has slowed down, but there surely will be a plethora of signings as training camp gets even closer.
Ngakoue is someone who likely will sign in the near future and one team that was listed as the "best fit" to land him is the Baltimore Ravens, according to USA Today Sports' Ayrton Ostly.
"The 29-year-old Ngakoue has played for six different teams over the last five seasons," Ostly said. "Last year he tallied 41 pressures but had a career-low four sacks for the Bears in 13 games. His best recent season came in 2021 with 10 sacks, 60 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles for the Las Vegas Raiders. He played that year across from star edge rusher Maxx Crosby and could benefit from another situation like that this season.
"Ngakoue feels like a pass rush specialist who could come help a contender with question marks at edge. The Baltimore Ravens lost both defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and edge Jadeveon Clowney this offseason. A return to Baltimore (he played nine games there in 2020) would make sense. Defensive lineman Justin Madubuike's grown into the kind of star Ngakoue can produce next to. Best fit: Baltimore Ravens."
Ngakoue appeared in 13 games last season with the Bears and had four sacks and 22 total tackles. There's always a chance he could return, but it seems more likely that he could leave at this point.
More NFL: Bears Are 'Best Fit' To Sign One Of Top Defensive Ends Left In Free Agency