Chicago Bears: 5 Free agents who won’t return in 2022

Akiem Hicks, Defensive Line

Akiem Hicks is a very popular player among the fans. From the moment he signed with the Chicago Bears in 2016 as a free agent he’s played well.

Many fans will be upset if the Bears allow Hicks to walk away. The truth of the matter, though, is that he’s on the decline. Remember, the NFL is a business and when it’s time to go the business of the NFL can be cruel.

While Hicks is popular, he won’t be helping the team win games if he isn’t on the field. In the past two-plus seasons, he missed 17 games because of injury. There are also a few other games he left early because of injuries.

Hicks is now 32 years old. His best days are behind him. With the holes in the roster, the Bears need to be careful where and how they spend their money. They cannot award Hicks another big contract that he’ll never live up to. There are already a couple of older players with bad contracts so adding to that list is a mistake that would really hurt the team.

Everyone involved with the Chicago Bears should be grateful for Hicks’ great play while with the team. We all have to face the fact, however, that the time has come to part ways. While it is difficult, Hicks cannot return to Chicago in 2022.