Andrew Billings Bio
Andrew Mitchell Billings (born March 6, 1995) is an American professional football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 feet 1 inch tall and listed around 311 pounds, he has built a career as a powerful nose tackle since entering the league in 2016. After playing college football at Baylor University, he was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft.
Over the course of his NFL journey, Billings has worn the uniforms of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, and Arizona Cardinals. His combination of strength, leverage, and quickness has allowed him to remain a durable interior presence on defensive lines for nearly a decade.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Mitchell Billings was born on March 6, 1995, in Waco, Texas. He grew up in the same central Texas city that would later become the centerpiece of his football journey. From an early age, he showed the kind of raw physical talent that would eventually catch the attention of major college football programs across the country.
Billings attended Waco High School, where he excelled both on the football field and in the weight room. He was rated as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com and committed to Baylor University to play college football. During his high school years, he also competed in powerlifting, where he broke Mark Henry’s Texas record with a 2,010-pound total. That record-setting performance included an 805-pound squat, a 500-pound bench press, and a 705-pound dead lift.
Path to American Football
After a standout senior season at Waco High School, Billings joined the Baylor Bears in 2013 as a highly regarded defensive line recruit. He quickly made an impression during his first season, appearing in 11 games and earning two starts while recording 29 total tackles. That early production suggested he could become one of the premier interior defensive linemen in the Big 12 Conference.
As a sophomore in 2014, Billings started all 13 games and was named First-team All-Big 12 after posting 37 tackles and two sacks. He continued his climb as a junior in 2015, when he recorded career highs in total tackles (39), solo tackles (31), tackles for loss (14), and sacks (5.5). That season earned him Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, and another First-team All-Big 12 selection. He finished his college career with 106 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles before declaring for the NFL draft.
Andrew Billings Career
Pre-Draft and Draft (2016)
Billings chose to forgo his senior season and accepted an invitation to the NFL Combine, where he impressed scouts with his rare blend of size, strength, and quickness. He was listed among the top performers at his position group and improved his times at Baylor’s Pro Day. Although many analysts projected him as a late-first or second-round pick, he ultimately slid into the fourth round.
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Billings with the 122nd overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft. He was the 16th defensive tackle taken that year, a slide that surprised league observers. The Bengals signed him to a four-year, $2.87 million contract that included a signing bonus of $535,845.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2016–2019)
Billings’ rookie season was derailed before it began when he suffered a torn meniscus during training camp and was placed on injured reserve for the entirety of 2016. He returned healthy in 2017 and competed for the starting nose tackle role, eventually earning his first career start against the Tennessee Titans on November 24, 2017. He recorded a season-high four combined tackles in that game.
Across his Bengals tenure, Billings developed into a reliable rotational presence on the defensive interior, contributing against the run and showing steady improvement in pass-rush situations. His time in Cincinnati helped establish him as a professional-grade nose tackle entering free agency.
Cleveland Browns (2020–2021)
On March 26, 2020, Billings signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. The following August, he chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to the Browns in 2021 before being waived on November 13, 2021, opening the door for the next chapter of his career.
Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs (2021–2022)
Shortly after his release from Cleveland, Billings signed with the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad on November 16, 2021. He later joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad on January 19, 2022. Both stops were brief, but they allowed him to stay active and prepared for a more permanent opportunity.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022)
On February 27, 2022, Billings signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he finally earned a consistent starting role. He started all 14 games he played in and recorded a career-best 39 total tackles. His work in Las Vegas helped revitalize his career and set the stage for a long-term contract the following offseason.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–2025)
On March 16, 2023, Billings signed with the Chicago Bears. He quickly became a fixture on their defensive line, starting all 17 games during the 2023 season at defensive tackle. On November 2, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension worth $8.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed, cementing his role as a veteran leader up front.
In 2024, Billings recorded his first career forced fumble on September 15 against the Houston Texans, using his helmet to dislodge the football from running back Cam Akers. His season was later interrupted in November when he was placed on injured reserve after surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle.
Notable Events and Milestones
Billings’ most notable milestones include breaking Mark Henry’s Texas powerlifting record in high school, earning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2015, and starting all 17 games for the Chicago Bears in 2023. His first career forced fumble in 2024 also stands out as a memorable play in his professional career.
Andrew Billings Career Wins
While Andrew Mitchell Billings is not typically categorized by win totals the way quarterbacks or skill-position players are, his professional career highlights reflect consistent durability and reliability on the defensive line. He has started full seasons for multiple franchises and has contributed meaningfully as a run-stopping nose tackle throughout his NFL tenure.
College and NFL Highlights
At Baylor, Billings earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in both 2014 and 2015, along with Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2015. In the NFL, his top statistical season came in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders, when he started all 14 games played and posted a career-high 39 tackles. He followed that with a full 17-game starting season for the Chicago Bears in 2023.
Other Performances
Beyond his starting assignments, Billings contributed in rotational roles with the Cincinnati Bengals and on practice squads for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. His career NFL totals through 2025 include 191 total tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble, reflecting a steady production profile for an interior defensive lineman.
Andrew Billings Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Andrew Mitchell Billings was raised in Waco, Texas, the same city where he attended high school and later gained national recognition as a powerlifter. His early dedication to strength training laid the foundation for his NFL career. Public details about his immediate family remain limited beyond his well-documented Texas roots.
Personal Life
Outside of football, Billings is known for his powerlifting background and his disciplined approach to strength and conditioning. He has spent the bulk of his adult life playing professional football, and his career has carried him across multiple NFL cities. He has also been active on social media, maintaining a public Instagram presence under his name.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 season, Andrew Mitchell Billings remained a key contributor on the Chicago Bears’ defensive line following his two-year, $8.5 million extension signed in November 2023. His experience and run-stopping ability were expected to anchor the interior of the Bears’ defense throughout the campaign. The Bears valued his leadership and his ability to occupy multiple blockers on early downs.
Billings’ 2024 season was interrupted by a torn pectoral muscle in November, which led to a stint on injured reserve. His recovery and return to form were focal points entering 2025, as the Bears relied on him to maintain defensive continuity. His versatility along the defensive front gave the coaching staff flexibility in both base and sub-packages.
Looking ahead, Billings’ veteran presence, combined with his powerlifting pedigree and refined technique, positioned him as a stabilizing force on the Bears’ defense. His continued production in run defense and occasional pressure up the middle remained a valuable asset for Chicago’s defensive scheme in 2025.
