When people talk about the Chicago Bears defensive line, it usually starts with Akiem Hicks. He’s the star of the group and its unquestioned leader. He is the straw that stirs the drink. However, this is a deep group. Roy Robertson-Harris remains a strong contributor in the pass rush. Eddie Goldman was their fixture in the middle at nose tackle. Sadly he chose to opt-out of this season over COVID-19 concerns. Yet one might say that loss created a big opportunity for someone else to step up. That someone has been Bilal Nichols.
The former 5th round pick out of Delaware had quite the rookie debut in 2018 with three sacks and a handful of great highlights. Expectations were he’d take it to the next level in 2019. However, his season was hampered almost immediately by a broken hand suffered in Week 2. He was never quite the same after that. People weren’t sure what to expect from him in 2020.
Then Goldman stepped away. Just like that, Nichols was asked to shift to nose tackle to help fill the void. While some are skeptical of that move, former Bear Tom Thayer has been thoroughly impressed with how the young man has looked in camp thus far.
“But then you look at the presence, the athleticism, and the composure of a guy like Bilal Nichols. He’s got to be able to have a season better than he did last year when he started after he injured his hand. Boy, has he burst onto the scene.
You know as much as we want to ‘Hey listen, man. Akiem Hicks is over here talking in my ear. I need to talk about him.’ But what I’ve seen out of Bilal Nichols in the place of Eddie Goldman? Impressive.”
Bilal Nichols isn’t Goldman but could be something more
Goldman was a fixture of the Bears run defense since arriving in 2015. He’s one of the best pure nose tackles in the NFL. Replacing that is asking a bit too much from Nichols. However, there are possible benefits to this shift. Namely the 23-year old’s quickness and burst. Both of which have made him a rather dangerous interior pass rusher.
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One thing the Bears could do is consider adjusting their defensive alignments. For example, putting him and Akiem Hicks in the middle with Robert Quinn and Khalil Mack on the edges. Nichols would be the three-technique interior rusher while Hicks, an excellent run defender, would play the nose. It’s certainly one way the team can make the most out of what they have.
Either way, it’s clear the young man is making the most of his opportunity.