Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks agreed Tuesday to a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per ESPN.
Former Bears’ DL Akiem Hicks reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, per source. Deal negotiated by Bucs’ exec Mike Greenberg and agents @DrewJRosenhaus and @RyanMatha.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 31, 2022
That puts Hicks on the same defensive line as Vita Vea, giving the Bucs the defensive prowess they need to match Tom Brady’s offensive fireworks. It also almost certainly means that Ndamukong Suh’s time in Tampa is over.
Hicks is coming off a disappointing season in Chicago as he battled through groin and ankle injuries, a theme in this recent overall NFL career. Playing in nine games, he garnered 3.5 sacks, five tackles for losses, and nine quarterback hits.
The 32-year-old came to Chicago as a highly touted free agent in 2016 following three and a half seasons with the New Orleans Saints and a short stint with the New England Patriots. After earning seven sacks and 54 tackles that year, the Bears signed him to a four-year, $48 million contract extension, which he made good on by putting up Pro Bowl numbers in 2017. While he’s continued to put up solid numbers since then, Hicks hasn’t played a full season since 2018.
Still, he has 40.5 sacks, 387 tackles, and 6 forced fumbles in 10 NFL seasons and the Buccaneers must be thrilled to have his experience on their defensive line. The NFL world certainly had some strong thoughts on the signing as well.
If Hicks can stay healthy, that’s a big addition. He’s an impactful pass rusher when at full strength.
But he’ll be 33 this season and he’s missed 20 of past 49 possible games. I have my doubts he can stay healthy and be the same player he once was https://t.co/FWvzb1xcmm
— Jon Ledyard (@LedyardNFLDraft) May 31, 2022
One of the better free agents left is now off the table. https://t.co/hFz3IqXojf
— Arrowhead Addict (@ArrowheadAddict) May 31, 2022
The rest of the NFL has only themselves to blame for letting this happen https://t.co/fnN1YIFo1d
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) May 31, 2022
If Hicks is healthy, that is one seriously evil interior defensive line. Good luck doing anything against him and Vita Vea. https://t.co/4JotKNPpQW
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) May 31, 2022
That’s a heck of a landing spot for Akiem, who’ll get a legit shot to win it all with the Bucs: https://t.co/tpiU9FaKf3
— Mike Berman (@MikeBermanNBC) May 31, 2022
Hicks and Vea on the same IDL is NSFW https://t.co/XMR6NcE3Xm
— John Owning (@JohnOwning) May 31, 2022
[ESPN]
