Akiem Hicks Named Defensive Player of the Year for Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks has been named the team’s defensive player of the year.
The Chicago Bears did not have a successful 2016 season. Their 3-13 record tells you everything that you really need to know about that. However, there is reason to be excited about this team going forward, primarily on the defensive side of the ball.
The Bears defense is far from perfect. They have massive holes in the secondary that need attention this off season. That being said, there is a lot to like about their defensive front seven. Perhaps most impressive up front is defensive lineman Akiem Hicks.
Building through the draft is the best way to build a team. That being said, there are free agent additions who can become major building blocks. Hicks is a perfect example of this. The Bears signed Hicks to a two-year deal worth $10 million last off season, snagging him from the New England Patriots.
Hicks came in and made an immediate impact for the team. He started all 16 games at defensive end for the Bears, piling up 71 tackles and seven sacks on the season. The 6-5, 336 pound Hicks is a big and powerful man, but he also shows impressive quickness and athleticism for his size. Hicks is an absolute force against the run and in the pass rush.
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With his success in 2016, the Bears have named Hicks their Defensive Player of the Year.
“The fifth-year pro set career highs and led Bears defensive linemen with 71 tackles, seven sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles while starting all 16 games,” Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com wrote. “For his performance, ChicagoBears.com has named Hicks the Bears’ defensive player of the year for 2016.”
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Hicks played great in 2016 and it did not go unnoticed by the Bears’ coaching staff.
“He does have that size, which is beneficial in the run game,” coach John Fox said, according to Bears.com. “He’s been a good run-stopper all season. He’s fit really well for us as far as his physical stature. But he does have pass rush ability [too]. So he’s got a combination of both. He’s been a good get.”
“Akiem has kept improving throughout the season,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. “He’s been one of the guys that has been there each and every week, playing a lot of plays for us and he’s been a steady bell cow for us in there.”
HIcks’ teammates also took note of his impressive play in 2016.
“He just plays with an attitude, an attitude that you want your d-linemen playing like,” said inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman. “It’s not just him, but him being him, he’s just one of those guys that demands attention. He just thinks he’s the best thing smoking out there and he’s going to play like it, too.”
Akiem Hicks is one of the best free agent signings made by any team in recent memory. Ryan Pace snagged him on an absolute steal and Hicks now has one of the best valued contracts in the entire NFL.
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The Bears’ star defensive lineman is set to become a free agent after the 2017 season. Hicks has become an important part of this Chicago Bears’ team. Locking him up long-term has to be among their largest priorities.