Sorry, Bears fans, there won’t be an Akiem Hicks reunion in Chicago.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hicks is signing a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Hicks was considered a top free agent still on the market. For a minute, Bears fans were hoping a return to Chicago was in play. They were left speculating about Hicks’ potential return to the Bears after he posted and then quickly deleted an image of him sacking Aaron Rodgers. But Hicks cleared things up explaining he was reminiscing going through old photos.
Former Bears’ DL Akiem Hicks reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source. Deal negotiated by Bucs’ exec Mike Greenberg and agents @DrewJRosenhaus and @RyanMatha.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 31, 2022
Hicks, who spent the last six years with the Bears, was one of former GM Ryan Pace’s best free agent signings back in 2016. He quickly established himself as a force along the interior and earned a four-year, $48 million contract extension in 2017. The Bears were simply better on defense when Hicks was on the field.
Hicks earned Pro Bowl honors for his impressive outing as a member of the Bears’ top-ranked defense in 2018, where he . totaled 55 tackles, including 12 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three forced fumbles. Last season, Hicks was limited to just nine games due to an ankle injury. He finished with 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
The Bears lost three starters along the defensive line this offseason in Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Bilal Nichols. Chicago’s only addition to the interior of the defensive line was Justin Jones as the starting three-technique.
