Akiem Hicks has an estimated net worth in the range of $20 million to $28 million as of mid-2026. That figure is built almost entirely on a verified NFL career that generated roughly $69 million in gross contract earnings, with the net number reflecting federal and state taxes, agent fees, living expenses, and the natural gap between what an athlete earns on paper and what they actually keep and grow.
Akiem Hicks Net Worth: Salary, Earnings and Estimate
Marcus Henley
8 Jul 2026
Who Akiem Hicks is and why his wealth needs an estimate
Akiem Hicks is a defensive tackle who was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the third round (89th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He spent time with the Saints and New England Patriots before landing in Chicago, where he became one of the best interior pass rushers in the NFC during the Bears' defensive resurgence in the late 2010s. He made the Pro Bowl and was considered an anchor of the Bears' defense. After Chicago, he signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2022. As of July 2026, Hicks is a retired NFL player.
The reason a net worth estimate exists rather than a confirmed number is simple: athletes are not required to publicly disclose their personal finances. What we do have are verified NFL contract records, which are among the most transparently documented in professional sports thanks to salary-cap databases like OverTheCap and Spotrac. From those records, plus what is publicly known about his endorsements and business interests, a reasonable estimate can be built. If you are also looking up Abraham Twerski net worth, the same approach applies: rely on documented sources rather than guessing from vague claims.
The current net worth estimate and what it means
The $20 million to $28 million range is a net-worth estimate, not a gross earnings figure. OverTheCap puts Hicks' total career earnings at $69,020,488 with $34,585,800 in guaranteed money across his contracts. That $69 million is the top-line number, but it is not what he has in the bank. NFL players typically lose 37% to 42% of their income to federal taxes alone, plus state taxes (Illinois has a flat income tax rate, Florida has none, which made the Bucs deal slightly more favorable), agent commissions of 1% to 3%, and standard living costs. After working through those deductions and assuming reasonable but not exceptional investment returns, the $20 million to $28 million range reflects a conservative-to-moderate scenario for someone at his earnings level.
| Estimate Type | Figure | What It Represents |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Career Earnings | $69,020,488 | Total contract value per OverTheCap |
| Total Guarantees | $34,585,800 | Guaranteed money (cannot be cut without payment) |
| Estimated Net Worth (low) | ~$20 million | Conservative after taxes, fees, expenses |
| Estimated Net Worth (high) | ~$28 million | Moderate scenario with reasonable investments |
NFL contracts and earnings: the main wealth driver
Hicks' career can be broken into three financial phases. His early years with the Saints and Patriots (2012 to 2015) were on rookie and veteran-minimum contracts, which generate modest income relative to later years. The real money started in Chicago.
The 2016 Bears deal: first meaningful contract
In March 2016, Chicago signed Hicks to a two-year deal. Spotrac's cash table shows the 2016 season included a $1,000,000 signing bonus, a $1,000,000 base salary, and a $3,000,000 roster bonus, for a cash total of $5,000,000 that year. The 2017 season added a $7,000,000 base salary, a $2,000,000 prorated signing bonus, and a $1,000,000 roster bonus. That two-year span put roughly $15 million in cash into his pocket before taxes.
The 2017 extension: the contract that defined his earnings
On September 9, 2017, Hicks signed a four-year, $48 million extension with the Bears. This is the single largest contract of his career and the biggest contributor to his overall earnings total. Spotrac's cash totals reflect the weight of this deal across the 2018 to 2021 window, blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">with 2019 showing $8,604,324 in cash earnings and 2020 showing $10,340,442. These are realized cash figures, not cap-accounting numbers, so they are the most useful proxy for what he actually received.
The 2022 Buccaneers deal: the final chapter
Hicks' last NFL deal was a one-year contract with Tampa Bay in 2022. The Tampa Bay Times reported the base value at $6.5 million with incentives that could push the total to $10 million. Spotrac's cash table for 2022 shows $1,165,000 in realized cash for that season, which suggests incentives did not fully trigger and he may not have completed the season on full terms. The reported $6.5 million base plus whatever partial-year cash was realized still adds meaningfully to the career total.
Endorsements, investments, and other income
This is where the honest answer is: the verified data is thin. OpenSponsorship lists a sponsorship profile for Hicks, but that platform is a marketplace for connecting athletes with brands, not a record of actual deals closed. No specific endorsement contract with a reported dollar value has been confirmed through credible reporting for Hicks. He was not a nationally prominent endorsement figure in the way that a quarterback or wide receiver might be, which is typical for interior defensive linemen regardless of their on-field quality. Some readers also ask about Abraham Hicks net worth as a separate, unrelated wealth figure.
On the investment and business side, names like 'Hicks Holdings' have surfaced in searches, but these cannot be verified as connected to Akiem Hicks the NFL player without explicit confirmation through filings, interviews, or credible reporting. Similarly, real-estate firm pages with 'Hicks' branding are not verified as his. Treating unverified business entities as confirmed income sources would inflate the estimate irresponsibly. The net worth range here does not include speculative business income. If you are comparing that approach to other athlete figures such as Abraham Ancer net worth, stick to verified earnings sources first net worth estimate.
What is reasonable to assume: NFL players at Hicks' earnings level are typically advised by financial planners and do make investments, often in real estate, index funds, or private business. Some portion of his $69 million in gross earnings has likely been invested and is generating returns. If you are also researching the life of Abel Net worth, the same net-worth approach applies: look for verifiable income sources and avoid guessing. That is baked into the upper end of the $20 million to $28 million range, but it is modeled conservatively.
Why different websites show different net worth numbers
If you have already searched 'Akiem Hicks net worth' before landing here, you have probably seen figures ranging from $10 million to $30 million or beyond. If you are comparing athlete figures like Abraham Lincoln net worth, you will notice that methodology and source quality matter just as much Akiem Hicks net worth. The variance comes down to methodology, and most sites do not explain theirs. Here is what drives the differences:
- Gross vs. net confusion: Some sites report career earnings ($69 million) as if it were net worth. It is not. Taxes, fees, and expenses reduce that number substantially.
- Different contract data sources: Sites that pull from incomplete contract databases may undercount total earnings, especially for older contracts or mid-season signings.
- No inflation adjustment: OverTheCap shows both nominal and inflation-adjusted career earnings. A dollar earned in 2013 is worth more in 2026 terms, but most net-worth sites ignore this.
- Unverified endorsement assumptions: Some estimators add speculative endorsement income without verified deal data, inflating the number.
- Outdated figures: Net-worth sites often update infrequently. A figure published in 2021 may not account for the 2022 Bucs deal or post-retirement changes.
- Investment return assumptions: Sites that assume high returns on invested assets will produce higher net-worth figures than sites using conservative models.
The most reliable approach is to start with verified contract cash totals from OverTheCap or Spotrac, apply a realistic tax and expense model, and only add secondary income that has been confirmed through credible reporting. If you are specifically wondering about Seth Avett net worth, this same approach to separating verified earnings from assumptions is what you should use. That is exactly what the estimate on this page does.
How to verify his earnings data yourself
If you want to do your own research or check the numbers here, these are the most reliable starting points available today:
- OverTheCap (overthecap.com): Search 'Akiem Hicks' to find his career earnings total ($69,020,488), guaranteed amounts ($34,585,800), and a season-by-season breakdown with base salary and bonus categories. This is the most complete contract record publicly available.
- Spotrac (spotrac.com): Look up his contract page for a 'Cash Total' and 'Cash Cumulative' table by season. Cash totals are more useful than cap hits because they reflect actual money paid, not accounting allocations.
- Pro-Football-Reference (pro-football-reference.com): Best for mapping contract years to his actual role and usage by team and season, which helps you understand whether incentives were likely earned.
- NFL.com career stats page: Use it to cross-reference production metrics with contract years to assess whether performance-based incentives were likely triggered.
- Credible sports reporting: For specific deal terms, look for reporting from outlets like ESPN, the Tampa Bay Times, or Pro Football Rumors, which cited specific figures like the $6.5 million Bucs base. Avoid relying on aggregator net-worth sites as primary sources.
- If you are researching endorsements: Look for press releases, verified interviews, or reporting that explicitly names a brand deal and dollar value. Marketplace listings like OpenSponsorship are not confirmation of an actual deal.
What to watch going forward
Since Hicks appears to have stepped away from active NFL play after the 2022 season, the major wealth variables going forward are investment performance and any post-football business or media activity. If he joins a coaching staff, takes on broadcast work, or launches a verified business venture, those would be worth factoring into a revised estimate. For now, the $20 million to $28 million range holds up as a reasonable, conservative-to-moderate read based on the data available through July 2026. Eric Abetz net worth is also commonly discussed in similar net-worth breakdowns, but it should be verified with primary sources before accepting any number. If new verified information surfaces, specifically confirmed endorsement contracts, public business filings, or a return to the NFL, this estimate should be revisited.
For readers exploring similar athlete wealth profiles, the methodology here applies equally to any NFL player: start with contract cash totals, apply realistic tax assumptions, and be honest about what secondary income is confirmed versus speculative. You can also compare this method to how sites estimate the abram engle net worth using similar earnings and verification standards apply realistic tax assumptions. It is the same framework worth applying whether you are researching a current star or a retired veteran.
FAQ
Is Akiem Hicks net worth the same as his career earnings?
No. Career earnings are the top-line contract amounts, while net worth is what remains after taxes, agent fees, living costs, and any impact from investing (good or bad). This is why his estimated net worth can be substantially below the roughly $69 million gross figure.
Why do different websites list wildly different numbers for Akiem Hicks net worth?
Most differences come from methodology. Some sites add speculative endorsement or business income, others use cap estimates instead of realized cash, and many fail to state tax or expense assumptions. A range based on verified contract cash totals is generally more defensible than a single-number claim.
How much of the $69 million gross is usually guaranteed versus not guaranteed?
Guaranteed money is a useful anchor, because it is more certain to have been paid. The article notes about $34.6 million in guaranteed money across his contracts, and the remainder typically depends on roster status and timing, which affects how much cash he ultimately received.
Do state taxes matter for net worth estimates in Hicks’ case?
Yes, because his tax burden changes by where the team is located during each year. The article specifically mentions Illinois having a flat income tax rate and Florida having none, which can shift the net payout even if contract amounts are the same.
Does the net worth estimate include investment gains after retirement?
The estimate assumes reasonable returns, but it cannot verify performance. That is why the result is a range rather than a fixed number, since investment outcomes and risk level can significantly change net worth over multiple years.
Are sponsorships and endorsements included in the Akiem Hicks net worth figure?
Only if there is credible reporting tied to a confirmed deal. The article points out that some sponsorship databases list profiles without proving closed contracts or amounts, so those entries are not treated as verified income.
What about business names that appear online, like “Hicks Holdings”?
Those are not automatically treated as his. Without filings, interviews, or credible reporting linking an entity to the NFL player, including that revenue would be guesswork and could inflate the net worth estimate.
Could Hicks’ net worth be lower than the $20 million range?
It is possible in a worst-case scenario, such as poor investment performance, unusually high spending, or major unexpected liabilities. But the article’s range is built to be conservative-to-moderate, using contract cash and typical tax and cost assumptions rather than assuming extreme outcomes.
Could it be higher than the $28 million top end?
Also possible if he had stronger investment results or later earned verified income not captured in the model, such as a confirmed coaching role, broadcast contract, or a properly documented business venture. The estimate should be updated when credible new sources appear.
If he earned incentives with Tampa Bay in 2022, does the estimate fully reflect those?
Not fully. The article notes realized cash figures for 2022 that suggest incentives may not have triggered fully, so the estimate relies on what was actually paid rather than the maximum potential reported value.
What is the best way for me to check the numbers myself?
Start by pulling realized cash totals from contract cash tables (not cap figures), then apply a realistic combined tax rate range and add typical deductions like agent commissions and standard living expenses. Only add secondary income if you can find credible confirmation of the deal and amount.
Does retirement mean his net worth stops growing?
Not necessarily. Even after stepping away from the NFL, net worth can increase through investment growth or post-career work. The article highlights that the biggest new variables would be investment performance and any verified media, coaching, or business activity.
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