Nick Williams isn’t a name Detroit Lions fans hear often. Nevertheless, if a division rival speaks positively of him, one must listen.

After Williams took issue with an article written by Lions’ blog site, Pride of Detroit, Chicago Bears’ DT Akiem Hicks came to his defense. And that shouldn’t be a surprise. Hicks and Williams were teammates on the Bears for two seasons. Williams showed his support for his now-division rival by speaking to his character as a teammate.

“Run stuffer, pass rusher he’ll fill the Gatorade coolers, walk the dog. And eat all the fruit snacks in the building,” tweeted Hicks.

“They don’t make ’em like that no more.”

Hicks ended that tweet with a 100 emoji and calling Williams a “blessed acquisition.”

Run stuffer, pass rusher he’ll fill the Gatorade coolers, walk the dog. And eat all the fruit snacks in the building. They don’t make em like that no more💯 a blessed acquisition https://t.co/uu7JQ9WTdg
— akiem hicks (@The_Dream99) July 10, 2021

That’s some high praise from the former Pro Bowler. However, Lions fans should take the compliments with a grain of salt. Hicks is also a former Brian Piccolo Awardee. And that award is given to one rookie and one veteran each season that “exemplifies the courage, loyalty, teamwork, dedication, and sense of humor.”

So Hicks could be doing his boy a solid and giving him some public flowers.

Or, maybe Hicks could be on to something. Last season with the Lions, Williams registered 12 tackles (24 combined) and one sack in 14 games (13 starts). He produced significantly better numbers the season before.

Dec 20, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Nick Williams (97) leaves the field after warmups before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

During his last season in Chicago (2019), Williams had 24 tackles (42 combined) and six sacks in 16 games, with only five starts. Scheme probably played a factor in Williams’ lack of production last season. Numerous reports detail players’ frustration under former head coach Matt Patricia.

Fortunately for the players (and the Lions organization), he’s out of town, and Dan Campbell is in.

Nick Williams signed a two-year, $10 million deal with the Lions last season.

Follow Kory Woods on Twitter at KoryEWoods.