Cowboys called top landing spot for standout Bears rusher, per insider

Training camp is here but there still are some top-tier free agents somehow still on the board.

One player who still is looking for his next opportunity is former Chicago Bears defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. He has been linked to a few different teams and even has had a workout but remains in free agency.

It's unclear exactly where he will land, but NFL.com's Kevin Patra predicted that he eventually will end up signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

"Sam Williams' ACL tear ushered in a need for a rotational pass rusher in Dallas," Patra said. "Williams was expected to take on an increased role under new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. Now, there are snaps up for grabs. The Cowboys could test-drive younger players behind Micah Parsons and DeMarcus Lawrence, but there is a role for a veteran presence that Ngakoue could help fill. He's coming off a down season in Chicago -- four sacks in 13 games -- but could bounce back in a rotational setting. His brief stint with Zimmer in 2020 (five sacks in six games) could aid a union."

Ngakoue didn't have a great season with the Bears in 2023, but he still is just 29 years old and has one Pro Bowl nod under his belt to this point. It would be shocking if he didn't end up signing a new deal soon and the Cowboys do have a need at defensive end.

The Bears also could use some help on the edge but it doesn't sound like a reunion is in the works.

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