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Block or Not: Akiem Hicks

By Bill Zimmerman

NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Bears 20-12. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - OCTOBER 29: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 29, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Bears 20-12. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /
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As we continue our offseason series looking at the Chicago Bears, we take a closer look at the roster and if particular players will be building blocks of the new Bears. Now we examine defensive end Akiem Hicks.

It’s no secret that 2018 is a critical year for the Chicago Bears. The Bears have been suffering through a rebuild since Ryan Pace was named general manager and the fans have been largely displeased with the performance on the field.

But hopefully 2018 is different. The Bears have pieces in place where the team should take a significant step forward this season. If they don’t, the Pace plan is going to have to be re-examined. Obviously, taking a closer look at the roster will give everyone an idea, not if the Bears are ready to compete in 2018, but if the roster is viable for years moving forward.

Taking a closer look at the defense, Akiem Hicks is a sensible place to start. Pace signed Hicks from the New England Patriots before the 2016 season and Hicks rewarded Pace with a solid season. Pace responded with a 4-year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed.

Coming into 2017, some wondered if Hicks would live up to the contract, and with the performance he turned in, he was practically underpaid. Hicks had a phenomenal season, his first half was incredible, and while his second half wasn’t quite as impressive statistically, Hicks still made an impact on a weekly basis as offenses keyed on him even more.

Hicks will turn 29 in the middle of the 2018 season. Pace needs to make sure he increases the depth along the defensive front to make sure Hicks can see a decrease in playing time moving forward. Hicks was on the field for 85% of the defensive plays in 2017 as well as spending some time on special teams as well. Hicks can’t continue to play 90% of the snaps into his 30s without breaking down. The Bears need to make sure that 2018 is a season where Hicks plays less, but is more rested when he’s on the field and therefore making an even higher percentage of impact plays for the time he’s in the trenches.

As long as Hicks stays healthy, there’s no reason to think he won’t be a part of this team until his current contract runs out after the 2021 season. In fact, at this point, there’s no reason to think Hicks won’t be a part of this roster well beyond that season as well.

Hicks’ status with the Bears moving forward is one of the more obvious on the roster.

Akiem Hicks: Block or Not: BLOCK

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