Akiem Hicks‘ 2016 Chicago arrival helped the Bears form one of the NFL’s best defenses over the past five years, but the veteran defensive lineman’s contract is up after this season. The Pro Bowler is aiming to extend his Windy City tenure.
The 11th-year veteran wants to sign a second Bears extension in order to finish his career in Chicago, according to his agent. Hicks’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, was in Chicago on Thursday advocating for his client, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This extension hope comes not long after Hicks popped up in trade rumors.
After missing most of the 2019 season, Hicks bounced back and played in 15 games last year. While the sack total (3.5) did not match his three previous full seasons, which each featured seven-plus sacks, Hicks tallied a career-high 21 quarterback hits for a Bears team that rode its No. 8-ranked DVOA defense back to the playoffs. The 31-year-old D-lineman is set to earn $10.4MM in base salary, closing out the final season of the four-year, $48MM extension he agreed to in 2017.
It looked for a bit like the Bears were planning to move on from Hicks, whom they gave permission to seek a trade in March. The team made Kyle Fuller a surprise cap casualty that week, but shortly after the trade rumor surfaced, the Bears regrouped and held onto Hicks. The Bears do not have much invested at defensive end beyond Hicks, so plans will need to be made for the future soon — regardless of Hicks’ post-2021 status with the team.
Khalil Mack only hit the QB 13 times in the 15 games he started. Akiem Hicks hit the QB 21 times and he rushes from the interior. Pay him.
Hicks has been a solid player but he’s reached the point in his career where one year deals are what he’ll be offered. The Bears will look to get younger once Pace is dumped so Hicks may have to close out his career in a city other than Chicago.
LoL I hate pace as much as the next guy, but he’s not in any trouble of losing his job, the bears operate differently than other teams and are willing to hold onto executive a year longer than they should rather than fire them a year early
I think most fans believe the Bears have already kept their GM around a year longer than necessary. If both Dalton and Fields flop, Pace would probably need a total collapse by the Packers to earn him a reprieve.
As long as the McCaskey’s own the Bears Pace isn’t going anywhere they love him wins and losses isnt the only thing he is measured by
100% factual statement. He may not be the GM forever, but he will be with the Bears organization as long as he wants.
Hicks better years are behind him. No extension for him.
Speaking for all Vikings fans, I hope you’re right.