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Malik Jackson to sign with Jacksonville Jaguars, Is Akiem Hicks Headed to Chicago Bears?

By Bill Zimmerman

Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Akiem Hicks (72) reacts after recovering a fumble and returning for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots defensive end Akiem Hicks (72) reacts after recovering a fumble and returning for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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While players are not officially allowed to sign with new teams until Wednesday, there is nothing stopping players from coming to verbal agreements during the NFL’s “legal tampering” period. One of those agreements is with Malik Jackson and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The word around town was that the Jaguars were going to give Malik Jackson the moon and that’s exactly what they did. There had been a lot of talk that the Chicago Bears would also be interested in signing the former Denver Broncos DE because of Jackson’s ties with John Fox. However, when the Jaguars offer that type of deal, Ryan Pace and the Bears were extremely wise not to get involved. Jackson is a very good player, but the Jaguars have paid him like he’s an elite player. That’s a big jump and one that the Bears should not, and did not, consider.

The Bears know they need more help on the defensive line and will now look elsewhere. There has been plenty of conversation that Jaye Howard from the Kansas City Chiefs could be on the Bears’ radar, but it looks more likely that Akiem Hicks could be the defensive linemen that lands in Chicago.

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Fishbain writes for ChicagoFootball.Com and this story was later also reported by 670 The Score. Hicks to the Bears makes a lot of sense. Hicks spent his first three years with the New Orleans Saints and had a relationship with Ryan Pace. Once Pace left New Orleans, he was moved to the New England Patriots in September where he performed well in limited action.

Hicks is again someone that fits the Pace mold. He’s only 26-years old, he has a relationship with the Bears’ GM and Pace feels he could get him for a reasonable price. While Hicks won’t be the sexiest name the Bears sign, he will absolutely help a relatively weak defensive line, and definitely has the potential to improve greatly over the next couple years with more snaps and a chance to develop under Vic Fangio. However, convincing him to leave New England may not be easy.

Kyed is NESN’s Patriots beat reporter. If the Patriots want to keep Hicks, they are going to make a strong push. There aren’t may players that leave New England that the Patriots wanted to keep. Usually, when Bill Belichick wants a player, he keeps the player. When Belichick is done with a player, they leave and usually have little success with their new franchise.

Next: REPORT: Danny Trevathan to sign with Bears

It appears that Danny Trevathan is headed to Chicago. Defensive line may be the next item on Pace’s checklist, whether that player is Hicks, or perhaps even Jaye Howard still seems open to debate, but Pace’s 2016 free agency plan is starting to come into focus.

Bill Zimmerman is an editor and featured writer for FanSided‘s BearGogglesOn. Like his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter for more news and interaction.

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