UPDATE: Steelers on the Verge of Signing 69-Sack Veteran Pass Rusher to Boost Defense Now
May 25, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly finalizing a deal to add a major piece to their defensive arsenal. According to league sources, the team is on the verge of signing veteran pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue, a proven edge threat with 69 career sacks. The move comes as Pittsburgh aims to bolster its defense heading into the heart of offseason preparations.
Ngakoue, 30, has long been one of the league’s most consistent and disruptive pass rushers. Over the course of his nine-year career, he has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, and most recently, the Chicago Bears. Despite bouncing around the league, Ngakoue has never failed to make his presence felt, recording at least eight sacks in five different seasons.
The Steelers are targeting Ngakoue to provide veteran depth and leadership alongside All-Pro linebacker T.J. Watt and rising star Alex Highsmith. Injuries and depth issues hampered Pittsburgh’s defensive front last season, exposing a vulnerability that general manager Omar Khan appears determined to address.
“This is about making a great defense even better,” a source close to the team said. “Ngakoue brings a level of experience, tenacity, and production that fits the Steelers’ identity. He’s a natural fit for what they do.”
The addition of Ngakoue would also give the Steelers flexibility in their front seven. While Watt and Highsmith will remain the starters on the edge, having a proven veteran like Ngakoue in the rotation could allow defensive coordinator Teryl Austin to experiment with more exotic blitz packages and stunts. It also provides a strong insurance policy in case of injuries.
Last season with the Bears, Ngakoue posted 4 sacks in 13 games before a season-ending ankle injury. Though the numbers were a dip from his usual production, many scouts believe he still has plenty left in the tank, especially in a more structured defensive scheme like Pittsburgh’s.
The move signals that Pittsburgh is firmly in a win-now mindset. After narrowly missing the playoffs last season, head coach Mike Tomlin has been vocal about the need for consistent pass rush pressure to complement the team’s strong secondary, which features stars like Minkah Fitzpatrick and Joey Porter Jr.
Ngakoue’s presence could also help mentor some of the younger players on the roster, including 2024 third-round pick Jeremiah Moon, who has flashed potential but lacks experience. Bringing in a veteran who has seen nearly every offensive scheme in the league could be invaluable as the Steelers push for postseason success.
Financial terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed, but it is expected to be a short-term contract loaded with performance incentives. Ngakoue has expressed interest in joining a contending team, and Pittsburgh’s defensive pedigree and winning culture made them a natural landing spot.
With OTAs underway and training camp on the horizon, the Steelers are positioning themselves for a serious run in 2025. If the deal is finalized as expected, Pittsburgh will have landed one of the most experienced pass rushers still on the market—and potentially one of the missing pieces to a championship-caliber defense.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Steelers and Ngakoue move toward making the deal official.
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