Akiem Hicks could be the next Bears defensive stud on his way out of town

As if Bears fans haven’t received enough doom and gloom, Akiem Hicks could be the next defensive player on his way out of Chicago.

AP Photo/Wade Payne

As if Chicago Bears fans haven’t received enough doom and gloom for one day comes news that the Bears have given stud defensive tackle Akiem Hicks could be the next defensive player on the way out of town.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears have given Hicks permission to seek a trade. But whether or not that ends up happening remains to be seen.

Hicks is entering the final year of his contract, where he’s due to earn $10.5 million in 2021.

Biggs was told that “Hicks wants a substantial raise in a new contract if he’s traded,” but also that it “seems unlikely.”

We’ve come a long way from the Bears’ end-of-year press conference in January when they were touting a “win-now” mentality for the 2021 season.

But after free agency, the Bears have managed to get worse, a direct result of general manager Ryan Pace’s decisions finally catching up to him, specifically where the salary cap is concerned.

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