When discussing contract extensions for the Chicago Bears? Two names have largely dominated headlines. The most obvious is Allen Robinson. Their star receiver has sought a long-term deal since September of last season. Yet the two sides haven’t been able to reach any common ground up to this point. The other is Roquan Smith. Their emerging stud linebacker was outstanding in 2020, making the decision to exercise his 5th-year option a formality.
Working to lock these two up for the future remains the Bears’ highest priority. It is not, however, their only one. The team has several other free agents to consider going into 2022. Two stand out above the rest.
Bilal Nichols and James Daniels.
One thing has become clear over the past year or two. Both 2018 draft picks are good players. They’re also not entirely proven. Nichols didn’t really have a chance to play at his natural position last season. This due to shifting inside to nose tackle at times to cover up the loss of Eddie Goldman. Despite this, he still managed a career-high five sacks and 13 QB hits. Daniels was the Bears’ best offensive blocker through the first five games of the season too. Unfortunately, his year was cut short by a torn pectoral.
So that is the situation. Both players are clearly talented and capable of playing at a high level. Yet it feels like their previous season was one of unfulfilled potential. Each for a different but valid reason. That is what makes the 2021 campaign so vital for them and the Bears. If they can put together a breakout year in either case? They stand to make some serious money of their own.
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8. Conversely, Bilal Nichols is emerging before our very eyes.
Whatever it was holding him back last year is a thing of the past.
The 24-year old has 3 sacks, 5 QB hits, and an INT in his past three games.
The future of the #Bears defensive line might be in good hands. pic.twitter.com/l14CeIfUuv
— Erik Lambert (@ErikLambert1) December 21, 2020
Chicago Bears have good news and bad news on this front
The bad news first. Daniels is returning from his injury. That is good. The problem is the offensive line underwent a considerable shift while he was gone. Sam Mustipher took over the center position, allowing Cody Whitehair to shift to left guard where he thrived down the stretch last season. This seems to be the configuration the Bears coaches plan to keep, which is an issue since Daniels was the starting left guard before his injury. It likely means he’ll be switching over to right guard. While that may sound simple, it isn’t. Can he handle such a shift and still play at a high level?
Now for the good news. Nichols had his best year last season and now he’ll be able to focus on playing just one role on defense in 2021. This because Goldman is returning to the lineup at nose tackle. With him eating up blocks in the middle, it will allow Nichols to focus on setting the edge against the run while doing what he does best. Creating interior pressure on the quarterback.
Robinson and Smith get the headlines, but these are two to watch.
Their play this season could go a long way in determining how the Chicago Bears brass approaching the 2022 offseason. Specifically in regards to how much money they allocated for them vs. potential outside free agents. GM Ryan Pace always loves to reward his own. So he’d probably love nothing better than to see both men thrive this year.
