DT Nichols Leaves Raiders to Join Cardinals
Not long after it was announced that the Las Vegas Raiders would be adding former Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that defensive tackle Bilal Nichols had signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Per Schefter, Nichols' deal is worth $21 million over three years, with $14.4 million guaranteed.
The Raiders signed Nichols as an unrestricted free agent in March 2022 after he spent his first four NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears. He started every game for Las Vegas in the 2022 season, recording 44 combined tackles, four for losses, 11 quarterback hits, and 1.5 sacks, playing 71 percent of defensive snaps for Las Vegas.
Defensive tackle Bilal Nichols (91) started every game for the Las Vegas Raiders over the past two seasons.
© Denny Medley | 2023 Dec 25
Nichols' final season as a Raider, 2023-24, was quite impressive, as the veteran defensive tackle posted 48 combined tackles, four for losses, a pass defensed, 1.5 sacks and a touchdown return on a fumble recovery. He did so while playing only 54 percent of defensive snaps for the Raiders.
The aforementioned touchdown came in Las Vegas' 20-14 upset victory over the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. It was Nichols' first touchdown of his NFL career.
The Bears selected Nichols in the fifth round (No. 145 overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Delaware. He registered 146 combined tackles, 18 for losses, 31 quarterback hits, 11 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, five passes defensed, and an interception in 60 games with Chicago. He made 49 starts.
Nichols is the second defensive tackle from the Raiders' 2023 roster who will not be returning. Las Vegas will release Jerry Tillery on Wednesday, the start of the new league year. Tillery also played in all 17 games for the Silver and Black last season.
The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently have the No. 13 overall pick.
Ensure you follow on X (Twitter) @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss another breaking news story again. Sign up RIGHT HERE for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes thrice a week and delivers all our best stories.
Please let us know your thoughts when you like our Facebook page WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.
