An interesting face popped up at Chicago Bears practices over the past couple of days. Sports superagent Drew Rosenhaus. This drew a lot of speculation, some wondering what he’d be there for. An answer wasn’t long in coming. Reports surfaced that Rosenhaus was approaching the team brass about a potential extension for Akiem Hicks. The star defensive end is in the last year of his contract and would prefer to stay in Chicago.
At first glance, this feels like a no-brainer. Hicks is still the best defensive lineman on the Bears’ roster. He is proving that again in training camp. Why is something like this even a question? Namely, because a number of factors stand in the way. The first being his age. Hicks turns 32-years old this November. Everybody knows it is risky to hand new money to a player who is getting further into his 30s. Especially one who plays such a physical position like the defensive line. See Robert Quinn.
Drew Rosenhaus, agent for Bears’ Pro-Bowl DL Akiem Hicks, has approached the team regarding an extension for his client, who is entering the last year of his contract. Rosenhaus was spotted in Chicago today and said, “Akiem wants to finish his career with the Bears, if possible.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 12, 2021
There is no telling when his breakdown will begin.
Then there is the matter of limited money. While the Bears are currently projected to have around $36 million in cap space next offseason, that is not as much as people may think. Not when they have a total of 52 projected free agents next offseason. There is only so much money to go around and the Bears have other guys they need to worry about regarding extensions. Guys who honestly have to take priority over Hicks.
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They include Allen Robinson, Roquan Smith, and Bilal Nichols. Robinson is still the best wide receiver on the roster. While talks have failed to this point regarding a new deal, they still have a chance to work something out. Smith is one of the top inside linebackers in football and the future of the Bears’ defense. The same goes for Nichols who is poised for a career year. One could also argue James Daniels is a priority as well at guard.
Akiem Hicks controls his own destiny in Chicago
Not just with his play on the field. It is more about what kind of money he is looking for. Nobody would fault him for wanting to get one more big payday before his career winds down. The problem is he isn’t likely to receive it from the Bears. This means he’ll have to do one of two things. Either find another home or be willing to take a team-friendly deal. It sounds like the former isn’t overly appealing to him.
So what about the latter? Since 2017, Akiem Hicks has averaged $10.7 million per year. That currently ranks him 14th among interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Under normal circumstances, a guy like him would be seeking a minor raise. That isn’t possible. If anything, he may have to take a slight pay cut. What kind? The best example is Ndamukong Suh. The former Pro Bowler recently signed a one-year deal for $9 million to stay in Tampa Bay. Suh is 34-years old. So it’s a similar situation.
If Hicks is willing to take something like that? It might be workable.
Otherwise, the Bears may be forced to make a tough decision. Everybody knew the financial situation with this defense couldn’t last. Not with Justin Fields arriving. The team has to start investing in his future and that means allocating financial resources towards the offense. Sacrificing Hicks could be a necessary step in that direction. If he wants to stay, he may have to make a sacrifice of his own.
