Bilal Nichols Bio
Bilal Shakur Nichols (born September 14, 1996) is an American professional football defensive end for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Nichols played college football for the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens before launching a career that has spanned three NFL franchises.
Listed at 6 feet 3 inches and around 300 pounds, Nichols has built a reputation as a durable interior pass rusher. Over the course of his professional career, he has accumulated 251 total tackles, 14 sacks, two forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, six pass deflections, and one interception.
Early Life and Background
Bilal Shakur Nichols was born on September 14, 1996, in Newark, Delaware. He grew up in the surrounding region and attended Hodgson Vo-Tech, a career and technical high school located in Glasgow, Delaware. His time at Hodgson Vo-Tech helped him develop both athletically and academically, and it laid the foundation for his future in football.
Coming out of high school, Nichols drew attention from college programs along the East Coast. He ultimately committed to the University of Delaware, joining the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens and beginning a college career that would shape his path to the professional ranks.
Path to American Football
Nichols enrolled at the University of Delaware in 2014 and played for the Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens through the 2017 season. He worked his way into a starting role on the defensive line, becoming one of the most consistent interior players in the Colonial Athletic Association during his final college season.
In 2017, he recorded 56 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, an interception, four pass break-ups, and a blocked kick. His performance earned him first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association honors, marking him as one of the top defensive linemen at the FCS level that year.
Bilal Nichols Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Nichols was selected by the Chicago Bears in the fifth round, 145th overall, of the 2018 NFL draft. The connection was a familiar one: Bears head coach Matt Nagy was also a Delaware alumnus, and assistant Brian Ginn had worked for the school before joining Chicago. Nichols made his first NFL start in Week 10 of the 2018 season against the Detroit Lions, recording his first full sack on quarterback Matthew Stafford in a 34–22 win. A second sack followed in the season finale against Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings.
His 2019 season was disrupted by a broken hand suffered in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. After returning to action, he primarily filled in for the injured Akiem Hicks at defensive tackle. In the season finale against Minnesota, Nichols recovered a fumble by Mike Boone on the Vikings’ opening drive, showing the nose for the football that has marked his career.
Chicago Bears Defensive Tackle Years (2018–2021)
Nichols spent his first four professional seasons with the Chicago Bears. He gradually expanded his role as a run-stuffer and pocket-collapsing interior defender, appearing in 51 games across the 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. The 2020 campaign proved to be a breakout of sorts, as nose tackle Eddie Goldman opted out for COVID-19 reasons and Nichols stepped into the starting role.
That season, against the Carolina Panthers in Week 6, Nichols sacked Teddy Bridgewater at the Panthers’ one-yard line, setting up an interception by Tashaun Gipson and a Bears touchdown. In Week 13 against the Lions, he sacked Matthew Stafford and recorded his first career interception off a pass by Stafford, returning it seven yards. He became the first Bears defensive tackle to intercept a pass since Tommie Harris in 2009.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2022–2023)
Nichols signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders on March 17, 2022. He became a rotational piece on the Raiders’ defensive front, providing size and experience against the run. His most memorable moment in silver and black came during the Raiders’ Week 16 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 2023, when Nichols recovered a fumble by Patrick Mahomes and returned it eight yards for his first career touchdown.
The Raiders stint gave Nichols a fresh start in the AFC West and allowed him to showcase his versatility as both a defensive tackle and a read-and-react run defender. Over two seasons in Las Vegas, he continued to produce consistent reps as a rotational interior lineman.
Arizona Cardinals Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Nichols signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, joining a defense in the midst of a rebuild. He made six appearances with five starts during his first season in Arizona, recording 10 combined tackles. On October 15, 2024, he was placed on season-ending injured reserve after suffering a stinger, cutting his debut Cardinals campaign short.
Nichols began the 2025 season on the reserve/PUP list while recovering from his neck injury. He was activated before Week 5 and appeared in four games, compiling three combined tackles. On December 13, 2025, he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury, ending his season. On March 6, 2026, the Cardinals released Nichols, closing that chapter of his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Nichols’ signature moments are his first NFL sack against Matthew Stafford in 2018, his first career interception off Stafford in 2020, and his first career touchdown on a fumble recovery against Patrick Mahomes in 2023. He also became the first Bears defensive tackle to intercept a pass since Tommie Harris in 2009, underscoring his nose for the football in big moments.
Bilal Nichols Career Wins
Bilal Nichols has been part of winning locker rooms throughout his NFL career, contributing to divisional and conference contenders in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Arizona. While individual win totals vary by season, his role as a rotational starter has helped his teams field competitive defensive fronts.
Bilal Nichols Family
Personal Life
Bilal Shakur Nichols was raised in Newark, Delaware, and continues to be identified with his Delaware roots. Public details about his extended family, marital status, and children are not widely documented, and confirmed information in those areas has not been released.
2025 Season Performance
Nichols entered the 2025 season still recovering from the stinger that ended his 2024 campaign. He started the year on the reserve/PUP list as he worked his way back, and the Cardinals activated him before Week 5. The Arizona coaching staff used him primarily in a rotational role along the defensive line as he continued to regain his form.
In four appearances during the 2025 season, Nichols compiled three combined tackles. Unfortunately, his season came to an early end on December 13, when he was placed on injured reserve due to a knee injury. The Cardinals later released him on March 6, 2026, opening the next chapter of his career.
