One can only wish things might’ve been different for Bilal Nichols. After notching 5.5 sacks in 2020, it felt like the former 5th round pick was poised for a breakout year in 2021. It didn’t happen. Though he had three sacks, which isn’t bad for an interior defensive lineman, it wasn’t enough to impress the incoming new Chicago Bears regime led by GM Ryan Poles and head coach Matt Eberflus. The pair decided it was best if Nichols sought his employment elsewhere.
He didn’t have to wait long. The Las Vegas Raiders signed him to a two-year deal worth $11 million with free agency set to begin officially. Maybe not the blockbuster he was hoping for, but still a nice bit of financial security for a player that has worked hard.
#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
This also could be potentially great news for the Bears.
Bilal Nichols landing a multi-year contract suddenly puts Chicago in a position to land a compensatory draft pick in 2023. Thus far, the Bears have signed two free agents that qualify for the compensatory formula in Larry Ogunjobi and Lucas Patrick. So for the team to receive a pick, they would need three of their own free agents to secure such deals with other teams. Through the first 36 hours of the negotiating window, only James Daniels had managed this with his three-year contract from Pittsburgh.
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#Patriots are actively pursuing WR Allen Robinson, there are many teams in on him, but the #Patriots are in it (@massey_evan first)
— Bobby Thompson (@BThomps81) March 15, 2022
That has now shifted. The Bears have lost two compensatory free agents compared to signing two. Presuming Allen Robinson signs a strong contract with another team shortly, they could receive a 6th or 7th round pick next offseason. It would bring their overall total to eight picks—far more flexibility than they’ve been used to under previous GM Ryan Pace. The deadline for players to qualify for compensatory picks ends either in late April or early May.
Robinson should be on a new team by then. There is also the possibility that Akiem Hicks and even Andy Dalton could land a decent deal as well, which would also help. Everything depends on how much more spending Poles does over the next month and a half.
