Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks The parties reached an agreement Tuesday on a 1-year deal that could have a value of up to $10,000,000 with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersAccording to an anonymous source, it was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Hicks’s addition will make the future of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh in Tampa unclear. Suh, who is unrestricted and free to play on the Bucs’ defense line for the past three seasons.
Hicks suffered groin and ankle injuries all year, which led to a disappointing 2021 season. Hicks had 3.5 sacks and five tackles for losses in nine games last year. He also recorded nine quarterback hits. Injuries have forced Hicks out of 20 games over the last three seasons.
Hicks (32), was a marquee-free-agent signing by Ryan Pace, the former Bears general manager. In 2016, he signed a 2-year contract with Chicago. Hicks had seven sacks and 54 tackles during his first season with Bears. In 2017, the team extended Hicks’ contract to four years, worth $48 million, which will keep him with the franchise until 2021.
Over six seasons, he was a prolific defender in Chicago and one of the NFL’s best run-stoppers. Hicks was a key player in a Bears defense which led Chicago to the playoffs in 2018. Hicks had 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for losses in 16 games. He also hit 16 quarterbacks.
In 10 NFL seasons, he has recorded 40.5 sacks and 387 tackles. He also has 6 forced fumbles.
Courtney Cronin from ESPN contributed to this report.