Andrew Billings

Andrew Billings Bio

Andrew Mitchell Billings is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Baylor Bears and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft. Known for his impressive physical attributes and skills on the field, Billings has established himself as a significant player in the NFL since his debut.

Early Life and Background

Andrew Billings was born on March 6, 1995, in Waco, Texas. He attended Waco High School, where he began to develop his skills in football and powerlifting. Billings was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and committed to Baylor University to play college football. During high school, he broke the Texas powerlifting record previously held by Mark Henry, showcasing his strength with a combined total of 2,010 pounds across three lifts.

Path to American Football

Billings began his college career at Baylor in 2013, where he played in 11 games as a true freshman, making two starts and recording 29 total tackles. His performance improved significantly in his sophomore year, earning First-Team All-Big 12 honors after starting all 13 games and making 37 tackles with two sacks. In his junior season, he achieved career highs with 39 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, and was awarded both the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year. These accolades helped solidify his status as a top defensive tackle prospect heading into the NFL Draft.

Andrew Billings Career

Early Career (2016-2019)

Andrew Billings was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL Draft, being the 122nd overall pick. His draft position was unexpected, as he was projected to be a first-round pick by various analysts. After signing a four-year contract with the Bengals, Billings faced a setback when he suffered a knee injury during training camp, which led to him being placed on injured reserve for his rookie season. He made his professional debut in 2017 and gradually earned more playing time, culminating in his first career start against the Tennessee Titans later that season.

Breakthrough (2020-Present)

In March 2020, Billings signed with the Cleveland Browns but opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He was waived by the Browns in November 2021 and subsequently signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad. Later that month, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad before signing with the Las Vegas Raiders in February 2022. During his time with the Raiders, he started all 14 games he played, achieving a career-best 39 total tackles.

Notable Works and Milestones

In March 2023, Billings signed with the Chicago Bears, where he has continued to make an impact on the field. He signed a two-year contract extension worth $8.5 million in November 2023, solidifying his role with the team. Billings started all 17 games for the Bears during the 2023 season and recorded his first career forced fumble in September 2024.

Andrew Billings Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Andrew Billings has received several nominations and accolades for his performance on the field, particularly during his college years.

Andrew Billings Awards Won

Andrew Billings has won multiple awards during his college career, including the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2015, as well as being named a two-time First-Team All-Big 12.