Bucs sign Hicks to reported 1-year deal worth up to $10M

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former Chicago Bears defensive lineman Akiem Hicks, the team announced Wednesday.

Hicks joins the club on a one-year deal worth up to $10 million, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Hicks, a Pro Bowler in 2018, spent the last six seasons with the Bears, starting 77 games. The 32-year-old, who's been a solid run defender throughout his entire career, was one of football's most disruptive defensive linemen early in his stint in Chicago. He racked up 23 sacks and 38 tackles for loss from 2016-18.

Injuries have bothered Hicks lately; he hasn't played a full season since 2018. The veteran defender appeared in only five games in 2019 before missing one and eight contests in 2020 and 2021, respectively. He amassed 25 tackles and 3.5 sacks across nine games last year.

Hicks checks a lot of boxes for the Buccaneers, who've been looking for an experienced defensive lineman this offseason after they didn't re-sign Ndamukong Suh and Steve McLendon. Suh started all 49 regular-season games for the Bucs over the last three campaigns.

Tampa Bay also bolstered its defensive front by drafting lineman Logan Hall in the second round this year. The team's defensive depth chart already features Pro Bowl tackle Vita Vea.

The Bucs will be the fourth different team of Hicks' career. The 2012 third-round pick played for the New Orleans Saints (2012-15) and New England Patriots (2015) before joining the Bears in 2016.