In a calculated effort to enhance their pass-rushing capabilities, the Baltimore Ravens have re-signed veteran edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue for the 2024 season. This move marks a significant step for the Ravens as they seek to address some weaknesses in their defensive line, bringing back a player who is already familiar with their system.
This isn't Ngakoue's first time sporting the Ravens' colors. The edge rusher had a brief stint with the team in 2020 following a midseason trade from the Minnesota Vikings. Although his time in Baltimore was short-lived, he left an impression, recording three sacks and 26 quarterback pressures in nine games.
Over his nine-year NFL journey, Ngakoue has made stops with six different teams, starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars, who selected him in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Ngakoue quickly emerged as a force to be reckoned with during his four seasons with the Jaguars, amassing substantial stats that solidified his standing in the league.
In 2020, Ngakoue shuffled between the Vikings and the Ravens but then found himself with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. He continued his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, before landing with the Chicago Bears in 2023. His tenure with the Bears, however, was marred by injury; a broken ankle sidelined him for the final four games of the season, and he ended the year with a career-low of four sacks—far below his usual production.
Despite these challenges, Ngakoue's career stats are nothing short of impressive. He has accumulated 69 career sacks, tying him for the ninth most in the NFL alongside Joey Bosa since entering the league. Notably, he managed to rack up at least eight sacks in each of his first seven NFL seasons, consistently showing his ability to pressure the quarterback.
The Ravens have struggled out of the gate in 2024, starting the season with a 1-2 record. Their pass rush, while not abysmal, hasn't been up to their usual standards. With 10 sacks as a team, they rank ninth in the league. However, their overall quarterback pressure rate of 27.1% places them among the bottom four teams in that category. Clearly, the team needed a boost on the defensive end, and Ngakoue’s return is seen as a strategic move to address this shortfall.
Ngakoue’s familiarity with the Ravens' defensive schemes and organizational culture is expected to facilitate a smoother transition back into the team. Given his track record, the Ravens are optimistic that Ngakoue will quickly assimilate and provide the much-needed impact on their pass rush.
As the Ravens look to turn their season around, all eyes will be on Ngakoue to see if he can recapture the form that made him a sought-after edge rusher throughout his career. If he can, this reunion may prove to be a pivotal moment for Baltimore’s defense as they aim to climb up the rankings and secure a playoff spot.