Chicago Bears: Top Performers of 2017

Defensive Player of the Year: Akiem Hicks

Stats: 54 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 2 fumbles recovered (16 games)

Signed to a massive four-year, $48 million dollar extension before the season, Akiem Hicks lived up to his contract in 2017.

Hicks led the Chicago Bears with 8.5 sacks, proving to be the anchor for the 10th-ranked defense in the NFL.

While Hicks’ value on the field is hard to argue, what was even more valuable was Hicks’ leadership on and off the field. Hicks’ veteran presence and outspokenness in the Chicago Bears locker room was invaluable for a mostly young defense.

As the Bears continue to build for the future, Hicks expects to be the core of an improving defense. He will be expected to continue to produce on the field while guiding the Bears growing young defensive core as a role model.

Will he keep posting seasons of eight or more sacks? That might be a lot to ask. But if nothing else, this was one free agent move that definitely worked out for Ryan Pace.

Akiem Hicks valuable play on the field and his invaluable leadership both on and off the field is what makes him the Chicago Bears 2017 Defensive Player of the Year.

Honorable Mention: Adrian Amos