VIDEO: Akiem Hicks Freaks Out Saints By Growling Like Actual Bear

Akiem Hicks is easily one of the most underrated defensive players in the NFL. A star for the Chicago Bears in all but name. Through eight games he has 3.5 sacks, 12 quarterback hits, and 17 pressures. This on top of seven tackles for a loss. The man is an absolute menace on the interior that NFL teams have grown to fear and respect in equal measure. One reason he is so good is his unbridled energy and passion. The guy brings it on absolutely every single snap. Don't believe it? Just watch what happens whenever the Bears mic him up for games. It becomes must-see TV. That was proven again on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. A team he always has a little something extra for.

Don't forget they're the team that traded him back in 2015.

So he was ready for this one. That was evident from how he reacted during the game. Rather than talk simple trash like normal players do, Hicks took it a step further. Before and after several plays, he could be audibly heard growling at Saints players. Legit growling like an actual bear would. He was sending a clear message. He was coming for Drew Brees and be prepared for a fight in order to stop him. Just tremendous stuff.

Akiem Hicks faces questions on his future

If he weren't a fan favorite already, stuff that that only endears him to Chicago even more. It would be terrific if he were able to retire in navy blue and orange. Yet it's hard not to question whether or not that can happen. Hicks is in his 30s. This is where the conversation starts about when the decline in productivity will begin. For the Bears though the problem isn't that. It's his contract. Current estimates put them at around $7 million over the 2021 salary cap. They have some tough decisions to make with an estimated 30 free agents this coming offseason. Decisions that could cost them one of their premier defensive stalwarts.

Hicks is definitely in that conversation.

Aside from his age, there's the fact he would gain the team $10.5 in cap space by release or trade. The second-largest possible behind Kyle Fuller ($11 million) who is in the midst of another fantastic year himself. This is not a doom and gloom scenario. There could be ways GM Ryan Pace finds a way to keep the defense intact. Perhaps by giving Hicks a minor extension, lowering his 2021 cap hit in the process. Given what he means to the locker room? It's hard to imagine this regime making the move to send him on his way if they can avoid it. They need to keep Akiem Hicks in a Bears uniform for as long as possible. Not just because he's a great player. Also because he entertains the hell out of the fans. He's what wrestling people would call "a draw." Somebody who gets you to watch on Sundays. Guys like that should be kept around. Hopefully, this will be the case.