Chicago Bears: Potential cap casualties in 2021 offseason
By Usayd Koshul
6. DE Akiem Hicks
This one is going to raise some eyebrows as well, which is why the best was saved for last. The Bears can’t possibly be thinking about cutting one of their best defensive players in Akiem Hicks right? Think again.
Remember that Hicks 2019 season ended early due to a dislocated elbow. And that’s a fear the Bears should have. If he doesn’t return to his old form in 2020, then the Bears have an issue on their hands. Good NFL teams know when it’s time to move on from a player and the Bears could be in that situation with Hicks.
Since arriving in Chicago in 2016, Hicks has 24 sacks 39 tackles for loss, and 58 quarterback hits. Outside of Khalil Mack, he’s been one of the best players on the Bears roster. Production-wise, it’d be a mistake to cut him because he’s been highly productive over the last four years. However, when it comes to the financial side of things, that’s where the picture gets a bit cloudy.
Hicks is set to be 31 years in 2020 and then will be 32 years old during the 2021 NFL season. Whether the Bears cut him before or after June 1st, 2021, they’ll create $10.5 million dollars in cap space.
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Overall, if the Bears are really in a hurry to create some salary-cap space or Hicks doesn’t return to his pre-2019 form, then they could consider cutting Hicks but since he’ll be a free agent after the 2021 season, they could also decide to bring him back and sign him to a new three-year deal that keeps in Chicago from 2022 until 2024, ensuring that he’s able to finish his career in Chicago.