Patriots To Waive Yannick Ngakoue

Yannick Ngakoue is set to be on the move once again in 2024. The veteran edge rusher is headed to waivers today, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Ngakoue was unsigned through the start of the season, but he landed a deal with the Ravens in September. That practice squad agreement allowed him to reunite with one of his former teams, but it ultimately resulted in only five games played with Baltimore. The Ravens waived the journeyman in November to create an opening on the active roster and open the door to a return on Ngakoue’s part via another practice squad deal.

That proved to be impossible, however, since the Patriots put in a waiver claim. Ngakoue was thus in position to close out the campaign with New England, but he will now hit the wire once again. In six Patriots games, the former Pro Bowler handled a rotational role and recorded nine tackles and two quarterback hits.

If a team puts in a claim, Ngakoue will again be on the move with one week remaining in the regular season. In the event he clears, though, he will be a free agent and therefore have the option of joining a contender in time for the playoffs. Given his limited production in 2024, the longtime sack artist does not figure to have a strong market, though.

Ngakoue had a four-year run with the Jaguars to begin his career, but since then he has enjoyed only short stints with the Vikings, Ravens, Raiders, Colts and Bears in addition to his split duties in 2024. The former second-rounder posted at least eight sacks during each of his first seven years in the NFL, but that figure fell to four last year in an injury-shortened season. Chicago discussed a new deal with Ngakoue once he was healthy, but a reunion at this point in the year would serve little purpose with the Bears well out of the playoff race. Teams will have until tomorrow afternoon to put in a claim; if he becomes a free agent, Ngakoue will be able to sign with his next team at any time.