One surprise cut candidate from each NFL team in 2021

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during warmups before playing the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - NOVEMBER 01: Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo #10 of the San Francisco 49ers looks to pass during warmups before playing the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on November 01, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
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NFL 2021
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 20: Akiem Hicks #96 of the Chicago Bears stands on the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

Chicago Bears: Akiem Hicks, Defensive Tackle

All the conversation about the Chicago Bears this offseason has been in regards to their quarterback situation. They allowed Mitch Trubsiky to leave in the offseason, which was probably the right move. Sure, he has led them to some wins but he wasn’t going to get them where they wanted to go.

After he left, they signed Andy Dalton to a one-year deal and said he was the starter for 2021. But that was before they went ahead and made a huge move for Justin Fields in the draft. The Ohio State product is a legit franchise-caliber player and now the discussion is centered on whether or not he will start or if they will stick with Dalton.

That won’t be the only discussion should they decide to make a surprising cut and move on from Akiem Hicks. This wouldn’t be something that they would do lightly as Hicks has been a star for them since joining back in 2016.

The problem is, he’s going to be turning 32 and wasn’t as effective as he once was for the Bears. On top of that, he would be a huge cost saver if released as it would save Chicago roughly $10 million and since they have less than a half-million in space, this move could help them free up some room.