The Chicago Bears defense hasn’t had a fun second half of 2020. After such a productive start to the season, they hit one of their worst patches seen in a long time. It started with giving up 34 points to the Packers in Green Bay. Then they gave up 34 points at home to the Detroit Lions. Not until they smothered Houston, allowing seven points did they stop the bleeding. Yet amidst the frustrations, one player was constantly standing out and that was Bilal Nichols.
People were starting to wonder if the former 5th round pick would ever be able to build on his promising rookie season in 2018. Last year he was hampered by a hand injury. Through the early part of this season there were flashes but nothing consistent. That really started to change back at the start of November. In the past five games, Nichols has three sacks, four QB hits, three tackles for a loss, and an interception.
He has played some really solid football.
Defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano was asked about this steady emergence. While the veteran coach got around to singing Nichols’ praises, his answer got off to a bit of a weird start. He called the defensive end not overly flashy or sexy and then launched into a side conversation with himself about whether his mom or teammate Brent Urban would agree if he’s sexy or not.
Chuck Pagano on Bilal Nichols— pic.twitter.com/yynGu0p5bi
— Jason Lieser (@JasonLieser) December 17, 2020
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Awkward moment aside, the words were true. Nichols has really started to play at a level people envisioned being possible for him two years ago. He seems comfortable in his role and is playing with energy and confidence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mLvcRb5j2M&ab_channel=ChicagoBears
Bilal Nichols brings hope for future of Bears defense
One of the persistent concerns for the Bears going into this season was the aging status of the Bears defense. Most of their core players are either in their 30s are soon will be.
- Akiem Hicks (31)
- Danny Trevathan (30)
- Khalil Mack (29)
- Kyle Fuller (28)
After witnessing how the defense fell off a cliff back in 2013 with all their core stars hitting that age wall almost at the same time, it’s not something fans want to see happen again. Luckily there is far more hope this time around. This due to the strong job the team has done at consistently adding young talent on top of this veteran group. Bilal Nichols is one of them.
He is only 24-years old and yet close to finishing his third season. Fellow 2018 draft alum Roquan Smith is 23 and looks like an All-Pro in waiting. Eddie Jackson and Eddie Goldman will both be 27 next year. Rookie cornerback Jaylon Johnson is only 21.
The Bears had no such young group of talent back in 2013.
They should form the new core of the defense down the line. The one the team will be able to build around once the older guns like Hicks, Fuller, and Mack have moved on or take a step back. This is roster-building done right. One of the few things that people should praise GM Ryan Pace for. If nothing else, the man understands how to stack a defense.