Former Chicago Bears defensive tackle Akiem Hicks signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which gives him an opportunity to win a Super Bowl with the greatest quarterback in NFL history.
One of the biggest differences between Chicago and Tampa Bay is stability at the quarterback position, something that Hicks hasn’t exactly had over the last six years.
Hicks went from playing with Drew Brees in New Orleans and Tom Brady in New England to one of the worst quarterback franchises in NFL history with the Bears. He played with nine different starting quarterbacks in six seasons with Chicago.
“Something I’ve thought of often is that when I came into the league, I had Drew Brees and Tom Brady as my first two quarterbacks,” Hicks said Tuesday. “Then I went to Chicago. It wasn’t Drew Brees and Tom Brady. We’ll just say that, right?
“I feel spoiled [now] to have somebody on the other side of the ball that can deliver all the time, and he’s proven it over the years.”
Akiem Hicks: “When I came into the league, I had Drew Brees and Tom Brady as my first two quarterbacks. And then I went to Chicago. It wasn’t Drew Brees and Tom Brady. I feel spoiled to have somebody on the other side or that bank that can deliver all the time…” pic.twitter.com/0dJaWxrGDx
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) June 7, 2022
The Bears aren’t exactly known for their great quarterback play in their storied 100-plus year history. Here’s a look at the nine quarterbacks Hicks played with during his time in Chicago:
- Jay Cutler
- Matt Barkley
- Brian Hoyer
- Mike Glennon
- Mitch Trubisky
- Chase Daniel
- Nick Foles
- Andy Dalton
- Justin Fields
Going from that to Tom Brady is quite the shift. But it was an easy decision for Hicks, 32, who just wants to win.
“It was definitely a draw,” Hicks said. “It benefits a defense to have a quarterback that can control the clock, the ball and the field position. And that’s what we have here.”
Hicks told reporters that returning to the Bears wasn’t an option, but he didn’t elaborate on whether that was his choice, general manager Ryan Poles’ choice or a mutual decision.
