Raiders To Sign DT Bilal Nichols

The Raiders have agreed to sign defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The former Bear will receive a two-year, $11MM deal with $9MM guaranteed. 

[RELATED: Bears To Sign Ogunjobi]

Nichols, a 2018 fifth-round pick, had the best year of his career at the best possible time. In 2021, Nichols suited up for all 17 games (15 starts) and registered 51 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, and nine QB hits. He appeared in 64% of the Bears’ snaps as well, leading all defensive linemen on the team.

The Bears didn’t have much room for Nichols after the addition of Bengals defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi. The Raiders, meanwhile, can use the 25-year-old as a three-technique tackle who can generate pressure against the pass. Nichols has done a solid job of that so far in his young career, having notched 62 pressures over the last two years.

View Comments (1)