Akiem Hicks Betrays Company Line, Hints He Wants Trubisky

Akiem Hicks is a team-first player. He's made that clear from every quote and actions he's had to this point. So any policy the team sets, he's going to follow. It may sound a bit corporate to call it the "company line" but that's an accurate way to put it. He is never the guy who will stir the pot. However, he's also human. He has flaws along with his own personal wants and needs. Turns out the 27-year old may have betrayed one of them. Understand that Hicks, up until last year, was quite spoiled as a player. How so? He got to play with some premium choice quarterbacks. First it was Drew Brees with the New Orleans Saints and then Tom Brady with the New England Patriots. He's seen the difference between good quarterbacks and bad quarterbacks. Or in this case good quarterbacks and great ones. So his opinion on the ongoing Bears QB controversy would actually be a valuable. Of course being the team guy he is he'd never offer it. Right?

Akiem Hicks subtly hinted his hope for Mitch Trubisky to start

Well not right out in the open. Nobody is that dumb. Save maybe for a certain somebody on Pennsylvania Avenue. Hicks did however let slip he might prefer to see the rookie starting sooner than later. Adam Hoge of WGN pointed out how it happened during the first preseason game when the defensive end was speaking with the broadcast team.

“You’re interested, you’re intrigued,” defensive end Akiem Hicks said during Trubisky’s debut last week. “He’s our No. 2 overall pick. We’re just as invested as the organization is.” Two questions later, Hicks delivered this notable response: “I tell you what, the stuff he’s doing on the field right now is something that you hopefully look forward to seeing in the regular season and against better competition. He looks really good right now. He’s out here ready to play, he’s an athlete and I look forward to seeing him compete further.” In other words, the players want to see more too.

There's no doubting that the Bears offense came alive when Trubisky stepped into the huddle. Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez combined for a 3-of-12 stat line including a pick-six. Trubisky went 18-of-25 with two drops, no turnovers and all three of the teams' scoring drives. It's undeniable that the team reacts to him with positive energy. Is he inexperienced? Yes. Some would say way more than most rookies. Yet the proof is in the pudding. He's accurate, athletic, intelligent and a tireless worker by most accounts. In such circumstances it's only a matter of time before he finds success. Couple that with the underwhelming impression Glennon has made thus far, it's understandable why Hicks would feel this way.