Everybody is thinking about ways to make the Chicago Bears offense better this coming season. No surprise since they’ve constantly been the worst thing about this team for several years. Quarterback? Wide receiver? Offensive line? They need help everywhere. Yet this isn’t an excuse to completely ignore the defense. It can stand to improve too and Akiem Hicks appears to have designs on just that.
After yet another disappointing finish to a season, Hicks was forced to watch another team win a Super Bowl. Something he’s been chasing his entire career. One of his dreams is to bring that trophy home to Chicago. One man who sympathizes with that? Cameron Jordan. The Pro Bowl defensive end and former teammate of Hicks has been to the playoffs several times in his career but failed to break through to the big game. Perhaps the two could unite in the same cause in New Orleans next year.
Hicks seemed to have an even better idea?
We gone play together again one day. Might as well do it @SoldierField . New environment, great Teammates. Get you playin outside on some grass instead of bein indoors all the time pic.twitter.com/5uglYBP5Uq
— akiem hicks (@The_Dream99) February 8, 2021
Would this even be possible? Maybe. The Saints are in the midst of perhaps the largest salary cap crunch in NFL history with a projection of being $74 million in the red. This means they may have to gut a significant part of their payroll in order to get back under the cap. Jordan is 32-years old and would gain them $13 million in space with a post-June 1st cut designation.
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The six-time Pro Bowler had 7.5 sacks in 2020 but remained a consistent threat off the edge. Would people take him over Robert Quinn? Probably. The problem is unloading Quinn and his own contract would be way too big of a headache for the Bears at this juncture. So Hicks and Jordan are unlikely to get their wish to play together again. At least not in 2021.
Akiem Hicks may have to worry about his own future
Like it or not, the defensive stalwart can’t be called a guarantee to stay in Chicago. The Bears’ pursuit of a quarterback could lead to a financial burden that forces them to make some tough sacrifices on defense. Hicks falls into that category. He’s 31 and could garner an extra $10.5 million in cap space if released or traded. No doubt the Bears would prefer to avoid that if possible.
Akiem Hicks is still a vital cog to their defense. Their best interior pass rusher and probably their second-best run defender. Not to mention a locker room leader. He’d be difficult to replace. With the Bears intent on making a run in 2021, keeping him around would have to be a goal. Everything will depend on what they do at quarterback and with Allen Robinson who is set to be a free agent.
Maybe the chance to reunite with Jordan will come next year.
The good news is the Bears should be at full strength again come this fall. Eddie Goldman is expected back from his hiatus in 2020. That will fortify the interior of the defensive line, helping what was a leaky run defense. If Quinn can rebound and the secondary remains solid? This defense should be good for at least one more year.
