No free agent who joined the Bears a year ago had a better 2016 season than Akiem Hicks.
The only member of the Bears defense to start all 16 games, the veteran end set career highs and led all linemen with 71 tackles, seven sacks, three pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
“He’s done well,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said late in the year. “Akiem has kept improving throughout the season. He’s been one of the guys that has been there each and every week, playing a lot of plays for us and he’s been a steady bell cow for us in there.