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Cardinals make marquee move, sign DT Bilal Nichols

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Alec Cipollini | Last updated 3/11/24

Arizona Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort and the team’s front office have bolstered their defense once again on Monday.

After Arizona added cornerback Sean Murphy-Nichols earlier today, they have completed a three-year deal to acquire defensive tackle Bilal Nichols, according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

“Former Raiders free agent DT Bilal Nichols reached [an] agreement on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14.4 million guaranteed with the Arizona Cardinals, per source,” Schefter said.

Former Raiders free agent DT Bilal Nichols reached agreement on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14.4 million guaranteed with the Arizona Cardinals, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024

Beginning his career, Nichols was a fifth-round (145th overall) pick in the 2018 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears.

From 2018-21, the University of Delaware product played 60 games (49 starts) during his four seasons in Chicago. Nichols snagged 11 sacks, an interception, 146 tackles and forced two fumbles as a Bear.

To conclude his time with Chicago though, Nichols decided that he wanted a change of scenery and signed a two-year contract with the Las Vegas Raiders.

In his opportunity in “Sin City,” the 27-year-old played and started in all 34 regular season games over the past two seasons (2022-23). He would accumulate 92 tackles, three sacks and score an eight-yard touchdown off of a fumble return.

Making a quick trip down south to Arizona, Nichols joins Phil Hoskins, Naquan Jones, Roy Lopez, Ben Stille, and Dante Stills who all makeup the Cardinals’ defensive tackles depth. Carlos Watkins and Leki Fotu are both free agents as things stand but the Cards could circle back and re-sign them.