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Chicago Bears Schedule Critical Meeting with Akiem Hicks

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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The Chicago Bears have scheduled a face-to-face chat with Akiem Hicks on Thursday to discuss potentially signing the free agent defensive lineman and bring him to Chicago.

The potential meeting is going to be crucial for the Bears and for Hicks to see if they can find common ground and come to an agreement. Pace has flagged the defensive line as another critical area in need of an upgrade and at this point, if the Bears don’t sign Hicks, they are not going to be able to find free agents to make an impact up front. Malik Jackson signed a massive deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars and Jaye Howard chose to stay with the Kansas City Chiefs.

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With Jackson and Howard off the board, Hicks becomes the most talented defensive lineman in free agency. It has been previous reported that as many as 10 teams are interested in Hicks. The fact that he did not sign a contract on Wednesday and could potentially be meeting with the Bears on Thursday could put the Bears in the driver’s seat for Hicks’ services.

If the Bears don’t land Hicks, the defensive line market will have pretty much dried out, so this is almost a last ditch effort for the Bears to upgrade the defensive line. While last ditch might be harsh because Hicks has been on the Bears’ radar for awhile, he still is the last remaining impact defensive lineman to help the Bears in 2016.

Hicks spent most of last season with the New England Patriots, but he had previously been with the New Orleans Saints and knows Pace well. That relationship has definitely given the Bears the inside track to sign the defensive lineman. If the Bears do land Hicks, they may turn their attention to keeping Jarvis Jenkins who had a very nice season in Chicago last year.

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Pace had a very solid first day of free agency, but it’ll be up to him, John Fox, and Vic Fangio to schmooze Hicks and get him to sign a contract before he leaves Halas Hall.  This meeting looks to have serious impact as to how successful the Bears will be in free agency this season. Pace had a good first day, but he needs day two to be just as impressive.

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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