We will preview every player on the Cardinals roster leading up to training camp. This is about DL Bilal Nichols.
The Arizona Cardinals report to training camp on July 22 and begin the process of preparing for the regular season, forming the roster and determining starting jobs and roles on the team.
Leading up to the start of camp, we will take a look at every player on the offseason roster, their background, their contract, their play in 2024, questions they face and their roster outlook.
Next up is defensive lineman Bilal Nichols.
Bilal Nichols background, 2024 season
Similar to line counterpart Justin Jones, the 2024 season for Nichols was cut short because of an injury. Signed as an unrestricted free agent on March 13, Nichols suffered a neck injury that limited his season to six games and five starts. In four seasons with the Bears, where he was a fifth-round pick from Delaware in 2018, and then two with the Raiders, he had missed a total of only six games, playing all 16 in 2020 and all 17 from 2021-2023.
In those previous four seasons, he had played 618, 678, 804 and 615 defensive snaps before being on the field for only 174 (45 percent) in 2024, plus 19 on special teams. He had 10 tackles (six solo, one for loss) along with one quarterback hit.
Bilal Nichols 2025 contract details, cap hit
The three-year contract he signed in 2024 was worth $21 million with $12 million guaranteed, including a $6 million signing bonus. This year, his $5.69 million salary is guaranteed and the cap charge is $7.83 million.
2025 questions, roster outlook
The competition for a roster spot will be intense thanks to the additions of veterans Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell as well as the first-round selection of Walter Nolen III. Nichols could be on the outside looking in when the roster is reduced to 53 at the end of August.
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