Chicago Bears: 5 players breathing sigh of relief after 2021 NFL Draft
By Ryan Heckman
Chicago Bears defensive end Akiem Hicks should feel relieved after the 2021 NFL Draft
At the moment, there is still a possibility that Akiem Hicks gets cut or traded in order to relieve some cap issues. If the Bears still want to address other positions via remaining free agents, they will have to free up some space somehow.
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But, for right now, Hicks should be feeling a sigh of relief. The Bears did not trade him during the draft, nor did they attempt to draft another player at his position. The only defensive lineman the Bears selected was BYU’s Khyiris Tonga, who will come in and play nose behind Eddie Goldman.
Hicks is locked in as the Bears’ starting defensive end and he should feel confident in that. Fans should feel good about it, too. We’ve talked about the Bears possibly trading or cutting Hicks, but with the possibility of Justin Fields starting at some point this year and the Bears making a run — you’re going to want to keep Hicks around.
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The defense should stay intact for one more season before any more big changes are made. With Fields under center, this team has a chance to be special, and Hicks should be part of it. For that reason, he’s feeling safe right now. Hopefully that doesn’t change in the coming days.