‘It Wasn’t Drew Brees or Tom Brady’: New Bucs DT Aversely Recalls His Time at Chicago Bears Ahead of Big Reunion With Tom Brady

Defensive tackle Akiem Hicks is a veteran in the NFL. After being drafted in 2012 by the New Orleans Saints, he spent 6 years of his decade long playing career on the Chicago Bears defense. Before the Bears, he also played briefly for the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady.

At a press conference after joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hicks shared his views on QBs. He has played for multiple teams and has functioned under quite a few QBs. And what he had to say definitely showed how some QBs are just a cut above the rest.

Playing with Tom Brady is an experience in itself

The DT had last played on the same team as Brady when he was a part of the Patriots set up during the 2015 season. However, he spoke in glowing terms about the skills and influence Brady has as a QB.

Nick Stroud tweeted Hicks, saying, “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…”

We know both Brees and Brady are among the top QBs in the league. Their difference is apparent from many other QBs playing in the league. And it turns out, Hicks found it out by being part of multiple teams and playing with different QBs.

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According to him, “it benefits a defense to have a quarterback that can control the clock, the ball and the field position.” These are all qualities Brady has, which allowed him to become a 7* Super Bowl champion.

What separates Brady from the rest?

Hicks’ comment would make sense since he played with Tom Brady previously. He then played with other QBs at the Bears such as Trubisky and Fields who probably couldn’t match Brady’s talents on the field.

Being the elite of the elite, many consider Brady to be the GOAT. He is the most accomplished QB to ever grace the NFL. Brady has led both teams he has played for to Super Bowl glory and gained recognition for himself as the GOAT.

Former teammates have been in awe of Brady’s dedication and work ethic such that even the Patriots’ coaching philosophy ‘Patriot Way’ is associated more with Brady.

A similar reverence for the QB is seen in Hicks as well. He seems to have been in awe of Tom’s skills at the Patriots and would play with Brady in the latter’s last season in the NFL.

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