NFL defensive lineman Bilal Nichols signed a new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders for two years worth $11 million. Nichols spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears.
#Bears DT Bilal Nichols is expected to sign with the #Raiders, sources say. He gets a 2-year deal worth $11M with $9M guaranteed. The starter had a career year in 2021 and now cashes in.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2022
Bilal Nichols, Las Vegas Raiders, Agree to Contract
Nichols had one of his better seasons in 2021 and has been consistently good since entering the league in 2018. The 25 year old finished with 51 total tackles (26 solo, 25 assists), three sacks, five tackles for loss, and nine QB hits. While he may not be a household name, Nichols is a good player to have on the defensive line. He can also stay healthy, as he has only missed five games in his four years.
The 2020 season was probably Nichols’s best of his career. With Bears nose tackle Eddie Goldman opting out for the season because of COVID-19, Nichols took advantage of an opportunity. In 16 games, he racked up 40 total tackles (16 solo, 24 assists), five sacks, seven tackles for loss, and 13 QB hits. He also ended up having an interception as well, and was the first Bears defensive lineman to record an interception since 2009.
In 2019, Nichols, now in his second season, had a bit of a quiet year due to a broken hand he suffered in Week two. In 13 games, Nichols racked up 27 tackles (15 solo, 12 assists), one tackle for loss, and only two QB hits.
In his rookie season in 2018, Nichols played in 14 games, but only started in six of them. He would finish with 28 tackles (20 solo, eight assists), three sacks, five tackles for loss, and seven QB hits. He was also able to force two fumbles, and recover one as well. Nichols ability to come right out of college and put up those type of numbers in his rookie season is impressive. He has stayed consistent since being drafted.
Nichols was a fifth round pick (145 overall) out of the University of Delaware, which is also where he’s from (Newark, Delaware). Nichols looks to continue his strong play as he enters his fifth NFL season in 2022.
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