Marcus Mariota had an off day in Nashville for the preseason week three game against the Chicago Bears. So much in fact that he played three full quarters. It’s hard to pinpoint where his struggles began but there might be a person who was responsible for them. That being Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks, who played some mind games with the quarterback in the first half.
It started after the Bears forced a fourth down late in the first quarter. Mariota had run the ball into the Chicago sideline. As he was coming back onto the field, Hicks was coming off. Ever so subtly he leaned out his left arm and bumped Mariota as they passed. The QB looked back to see who it was. Hicks did not.
Akiem Hicks with a little shoulder nudge on Marcus Mariota pic.twitter.com/jqZqo7ied3
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 27, 2017
It didn’t end there though. Later in the second quarter, Mariota dropped back to pass. Hicks hesitated for a moment and then absolutely bulldozed Titans right tackle Jack Conklin to bury Mariota for the sack.
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Akiem Hicks sack on Marcus Mariota pic.twitter.com/R81EV9KQik
— ⓂarcusD (@_MarcusD2_) August 27, 2017
Mariota finished the game with 193 yards and a touchdown, but most of his damage was done after the Bears’ second team defense was on the field. He struggled all afternoon against the starter. Hicks clearly was a big reason why.
Defensive end Akiem Hicks is demanding that extension
Hicks himself finished with three tackles and that sack. Considering he only played one half, that’s some outstanding work from the 27-year old. Not to mention it was against what is considered to be one of the better offensive lines in football. If nothing else this reinforces that Hicks has more than earned the contract extension he has coming.
His current deal is set to expire at the end of this season. Having already extended left tackle Charles Leno, Hicks is the only notable Bears player left with a major deal to work out. Perhaps there is stalling on one or both sides, but it’s becoming clearer every day that Hicks might be their best defensive player right now.
Ruffling the feathers of Mariota was just icing on the cake.
