In a move to bolster their defensive line, the Arizona Cardinals have acquired defensive tackle Bilal Nichols from the Chicago Bears. The 6-foot-3, 313-pound Nichols will join a revamped defensive line rotation that includes second-year pro Dante Stills and veteran L.J. Collier, who was recently re-signed.

Nichols, a fifth-round pick out of Delaware in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent the first four years of his professional career with the Chicago Bears. Despite receiving below-average grades from Pro Football Focus in defense (51.6), run defense (49.4), and pass rush (54.7) in 2023, Nichols has proven himself as a valuable asset on the field.

His best season came in 2020, where he achieved career-high numbers with five sacks, one interception, three passes defensed, seven tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits. Nichols has also demonstrated impressive durability, appearing in every game since 2020, participating in a total of 67 contests, and missing only two starts during that time. Throughout his career, he has not missed more than three games in a single season.

Nichols' consistent availability will be a significant advantage for the Cardinals, especially considering the impact injuries had on their defensive line in the past season. With Nichols joining the rotation, the Cardinals aim to strengthen their defensive front and improve their overall performance in the upcoming season.

As the Cardinals build their roster for the upcoming campaign, the addition of Nichols exemplifies their commitment to reinforcing their defense. The team hopes that the combination of Nichols' experience, along with the young talent of Stills and the re-signed Collier, will create a formidable presence on the field.

With the new defensive line rotation taking shape, fans eagerly await the start of the season to see how Nichols and his teammates will contribute to the success of the Arizona Cardinals' defense.