The window for NFL teams to begin negotiating with agents of unrestricted free agents opens tomorrow at Noon (EST), and the rumors regarding potential landing spots for some of the top available veterans will start circulating like gossip in a high school hallway.
The Bears are one day ahead of the curve when it comes to the rumor mill, as it was reported earlier today by ESPNs Mike Reiss that the Chicago Bears are likely to be in play for Patriots free agent defensive tackle Akiem Hicks.
Reiss explains that the Bears familiarity with Hicks Ryan Pace was a member of the Saints organization when Hicks was drafted by New Orleans in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft is one key piece to the puzzle. Combine that familiarity with the Bears need to add defensive ends who can play in their hybrid 3-4 alignment, and the connection between the two is strong.
Despite his background as a Canadian college football player, Hicks emerged as a starter for the Saints in his second year and was relatively productive. He started all 16 games and totaled 56 tackles and 4.5 sacks. In total, he started 33 games for the Saints before being dealt to the Patriots last September.
Hicks didnt register any starts for the Patriots in 2015, but he was a key contributor to their defensive lines rotation and is considered by many as their top priority this off-season.