Raiders to sign DT Bilal Nichols to two-year, $11M deal

Defensive tackle Bilal Nichols is believed to be on the way to Vegas. Quinn Harris-USA TODAY Sports

Raiders expected to sign Bears DT Bilal Nichols to two-year, $11 million deal

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 3/16/22

The Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly on the verge of making a significant addition to their defensive line.

#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

Nichols posted a career-high 51 tackles across 17 games, including 15 starts last season. Nichols also recorded nine quarterback hits, 3.0 sacks and two fumble recoveries in his fourth year in the league.

The 25-year-old was selected by the Bears in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft and started six of his 14 games played as a rookie. After playing in 13 contests in 2019, Nichols had a big 2020 campaign, starting all 16 games while making 40 tackles and registering career highs in quarterback hits (13), sacks (5.0) and passes defensed (three).

The deal can be made official once the 2022 league year officially begins at 4:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

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