The Akiem Hicks contract issue is something that has been talked about for weeks since the league year began back in March. It’s well known the 27-year old is entering the final year of his current deal. After notching seven sacks and grading highly as a run defender, most believe he’s earned an extension from the Chicago Bears moving forward.
That was made difficult by two factors. The ongoing stall of first round pick Mitch Trubisky who didn’t sign until a couple days before rookies reported for training camp. Then there was the fact Hicks didn’t have an agent at the time. Only recently did he sign on with Drew Rosenhaus. So discussions on a new deal have just started.
The big question though is whether Hicks has interest in staying. It’d be hard to blame him wanting to exit stage right after going 3-13 last year. This after reaching the AFC championship with the Patriots the year before.
Akiem Hicks Bears contract stance is pretty clear
Yet that didn’t seem to affect the man himself at all. Hicks fielded the question about his contract status with up-front honest. He didn’t promise anything, but made it clear that his loyalty to the Bears and city of Chicago has become rock solid.
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Bears DL Akiem Hicks: "I'm completely open to ending my career here. … I'm interested in playing here for a long time."
— Chris Emma (@CEmma670) July 26, 2017
#Bears DL Akiem Hicks on 2017: "It's put up or shut up."
— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) July 26, 2017
The main fear for many Bears fans is that GM Ryan Pace will do the same thing he did with Alshon Jeffery. He’ll try to low ball the veteran with a cheaper offer. Hicks won’t bite and instead just decides to seek bigger fortunes elsewhere. That’s fair, but also a bit misguided. Remember that Pace was the one who brought Hicks aboard in the first place. Jeffery wasn’t one of “his” guys and didn’t fit his vision.
Hicks clearly does. That’s a vital fact to keep in mind as negotiations go forward. Barring a significant breakdown, odds are good a deal can get done.
