Charles Leno Jr. got his contract extension. Some questioned it, but steady left tackles are hard to come by in the NFL. At the end of the day most felt it was the right decision. In the eyes of fans that left one major item on the agenda for GM Ryan Pace. He needs to get the long-awaited Akiem Hicks contract extension done as well.
Week by week it’s becoming more apparent that Hicks might be the best free agent signing that Pace has made to date. The 27-year old was tremendous in 2016, notching seven sacks and being one of their best run defenders. All signs indicate that he could be in store for an even better year in 2017. Aside from Leonard Floyd he may be their best player on defense.
Akiem Hicks sack on Marcus Mariota pic.twitter.com/R81EV9KQik
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 27, 2017
So it’s not a surprise he’s likely demanding a pretty big pay raise. He has a new agent in Drew Rosenhaus now. A man who’s done recent business in the past with Chicago, including linebacker Jerrell Freeman. Word is discussions are ongoing, but can a deal get done? No doubt Bears fans are afraid this can become another Alshon Jeffery situation.
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Akiem Hicks contract extension likely to come very soon
The good news is it’s right about that time where extensions tend to happen. Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune confirmed that much when discussing the Hicks situation. He believes that a deal is not only possible, but will happen sometime before the opener on September 10th.
“After the Bears put the finishing touches on a $38 million, four-year extension for left tackle Charles Leno, the most repeated question I received on Twitter was when a deal for defensive end Akiem Hicks was coming. If I had to wager a guess, and this is shooting from the hip, I think there is a good chance a deal is done before the season opener on Sept. 10.
Why?
This is prime season for contract extensions. Remember, the Bears did a new deal for left guard Kyle Long in the week of the season opener last year. They completed a new contract for outside linebacker Willie Young during training camp a little more than 12 months ago. They’ve been talking to Hicks’ agent Drew Rosenhaus, who attended the game on Sunday and said the sides remain in discussions. The biggest reason for optimism for a deal is, by signing an extension before Sept. 10, Hicks will remove the risk of injury during the season.”
Hicks deal would remove final big in-house deal of concern
There is plenty of reason for getting Hicks locked up as soon as possible. Of course his great play is the biggest part, but there’s also the need for a sense of calm going into the season. It’s hard to say that Jeffery’s contract issue wasn’t a distraction at times last year. Getting this done now will leave the Bears with zero contract issues of note to worry about.
Cameron Meredith with be a restricted free agent and he’s coming off that bad knee injury. Everyone else is on prove-it deals or can’t be considered high priority. Pace will be free to approach matters as he wishes rather than be shackled by one big negotiation.
