The Chicago Bears need Akiem Hicks to remain healthy
The Chicago Bears were lucky enough to find a diamond in the rough when it came to Akiem Hicks. Hicks has been an absolute beast for the Bears since his arrival. When Ryan Pace signed him in 2016, Hicks rewarded him by sacking the quarterback seven times. This was a career number for Hicks who had never had more than 4.5 sacks in a season prior to 2016.
Hicks followed up his career year by besting his sack total once again. He was able to get to the quarterback another 1.5 times that season and finished with 8.5. The dominant force that Hicks is was unable to repeat his 2017 performance, but he still recorded 7.5 sacks in 2018.
Then in 2019, Hicks went down with two injuries that kept him out for all but five games. During that span, Hicks was only able to sack the quarterback once but generated another nine pressures. With the combination of Hicks, Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn, the Bears might have one of the best pass-rush trios in the NFL. The team needs Hicks to play the majority, if not all, of the season, and if he does I expect the team to lead the NFL in team sacks.