The Chicago Bears could write a book-length list of players they’ve employed over the years who were woefully underrated. It’s no surprise several on their current roster fit that description as well. So here’s an interesting question. Of all the players they employ, who would people think is the most underrated on the team?
One could safely bet the common answer is Jordan Howard. The level of disrespect he’s received of late from the national media is baffling. Despite being a top-six rusher the past two years and going to a Pro Bowl in 2016, he’s never mentioned among the best running backs in the league. There’s just something inherently wrong with that.
However, Andy Benoit of Sports Illustrated has another name in mind. Not only does he think this man is the most underrated on the Bears roster, but he went so far as to say the most underrated in the entire NFL.
“The most underrated player in football is defensive end Akiem Hicks. He has the initial burst to augment his thundering strength, and his technique became more refined in 2017. Keeping two safeties back deep puts more pressure on your linebackers in run defense. Hicks’s destructiveness assuages that.”
Akiem Hicks built a great career on being doubted
There is no question to date the best free agent signing GM Ryan Pace has made was nabbing Hicks in 2016. The defensive end has been a monster since arriving in Chicago. Not only is he their best defender, but also continues to emerge as a team leader. He sets the tone and the rest of the defense has followed. Last season they finished top 10 for the first time in six years.
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Hicks led the way with 8.5 sacks and may have actually been even better against the run. How he didn’t make the Pro Bowl last year is a sore spot for many teammates and fans alike. No doubt that (along with his weak Madden rating) will serve as motivation for 2018. Hicks has high expectations both for himself and the Bears defense as a whole.
Can he possibly improve upon what he did last year? There’s no reason to think he can’t. Each year he’s been in Chicago has seen a bump in production. At 28-years old he’s in his physical prime and now he’s entering Year 3 in the Vic Fangio defense. This is typically when mastery of a scheme happens. If he can deliver another strong year and the Bears finally end up winning, then Hicks will get his long overdue recognition.
