One day before the 2017 season started, the Chicago Bears gave Akeim Hicks a 4 year, $48 million contract extension with $30 million guaranteed. Hicks was still under contract for the 2017 season, but after playing near a Pro Bowl level in 2016, general manager Ryan Pace decided there was better football ahead for the 27-year old Hicks.
He was right.
Akiem Hicks has been the midseason MVP for the 2017 Chicago Bears.
Hicks came out against the Atlanta Falcons that first week and played like a guy still trying to prove himself.