Akiem Hicks wanted to stay in Chicago. That much was made clear before the end of last season. However, it was also clear he wasn’t happy with the Bears. He was constantly frustrated with the offense and even got into a sideline scuffle with his own defensive line coach. So it shouldn’t be a big surprise he has bitter feelings about things ended with the team. That much became clear during his first public appearance in months.
Earlier this month, the 31-year-old signed a one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. It is obvious he intends to pursue that elusive Super Bowl championship by riding the coattails of Tom Brady. Nobody begrudges that. Hicks has earned the right. Still, he couldn’t resist taking a jab at the Bears during the presser, specifically regarding how awful their entire quarterback situation was during his tenure.
Akiem Hicks: “When I came into the league, I had Drew Brees and Tom Brady as my first two quarterbacks. And then I went to Chicago. It wasn’t Drew Brees and Tom Brady. I feel spoiled to have somebody on the other side or that bank that can deliver all the time…” pic.twitter.com/0dJaWxrGDx
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) June 7, 2022
Akiem Hicks isn’t wrong.
What he says is true. During his six seasons in Chicago, nothing the Bears had was remotely close to Brady or Brees. It started with Jay Cutler, then became Mike Glennon, Mitch Trubisky, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton, and finally a rookie Justin Fields. The veteran defensive end is correct in his assessment, but the truth is there was no need to say that. It’s not like fans were unaware of the fact. Akiem isn’t stupid. He knew exactly what he was doing by saying that. He wanted to rub a little salt in the wound.
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He’s far from the first former Bear to do something like that. It makes one appreciate those that exit with a little more grace. Nobody is denying Akiem Hicks deserved better in Chicago. He did. That said, the comment isn’t likely to make him many friends in a city he claimed to love so much during his time here. Perhaps a reminder that most of these players aren’t actually telling the truth when they say such things.
