LAKE FOREST, Ill. (670 The Score) -- Toward the end of training camp with the regular season approaching, Bears coach Matt Nagy approached veteran defensive lineman Akiem Hicks and commended his work.
Hicks is preparing to play out the final season of his current contract with the Bears, and his agent Drew Rosenhaus has approached the team about a contract extension. The two sides are at the culmination of an eventful offseason that nearly saw the 31-year-old Hicks released in March as the team looked to clear salary cap room.
"He is practicing hard, he's being a great leader in the meetings," Nagy said. "I mean, he has really been awesome, and I told him. Sometimes we as coaches can always talk about the bad, whether it's what you did wrong in a play or what you need to do here or there across the board.
"A lot of times, we don't sometimes give enough praise. You just take it for granted."
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Whether 2021 marks the final season for Hicks in a Bears uniform remains to be seen. He and the team have discussed a contract extension but aren't making substantial progress, sources said.
Bears general manager Ryan Pace declined to discuss the status of contract negotiations with Hicks but praised him.
“I don’t want to speak for him on (the contract)," Pace said. "For me, Akiem has been in an unbelievable place. How he’s been as a teammate, how he’s been in our building, the shape he’s in right now, the effort that he’s playing with right now has been awesome. I think he’s going to have a really big year and we’re excited about that."
Hicks has declined to speak with reporters since arriving to training camp and hasn't addressed the media since last season. He would be subject to fines for refusing to do so once the regular season starts. Without Hicks' voice being heard, it's unclear whether he's frustrated by his contract uncertainty.
Hicks has returned for a sixth season in Chicago after nearly being released by the Bears in their effort to get under the salary cap. The team instead released former All-Pro cornerback Kyle Fuller, who then signed with the Broncos.
Since joining the Bears in 2016, Hicks has been the beating heart of the defense and an anchor on the line, playing in 68 games for Chicago and recording 27.5 sacks.
The Bears rewarded Hicks after he played just one season in Chicago, signing him to a contract extension in September 2017. That deal is set to expire, and now we're left to wonder what's next.
At the least, the Bears believe Hicks has positioned himself well to play at a high level in what could be a contract season.
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago’s sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.