Former Raiders DT Bilal Nichols lands with Cardinals on 3-year deal
A second Raiders starter has become a day one expected free agent signing elsewhere. Josh Jacobs was the first to go — heading to Green Bay — and now it’s Bilal Nichols.
Former Raiders free agent DT Bilal Nichols reached agreement on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14.4 million guaranteed with the Arizona Cardinals, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 11, 2024
Nichols gets a deal that averages $7 million per season with $14.4 million in guarantees. This for a player who never played up to the two-year deal he got from the Raiders and they were more than fine with allowing to walk.
Nichols had just three combined sacks and eight tackles for loss in two full seasons in Las Vegas.
He had already been replaced in a big way with the expected signing of former Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins who was arguably the big prize of this year’s free agent class.
Nichols getting a solid deal elsewhere is potentially good news for the Raiders. With two starters getting long term deals elsewhere, while they have added just one (Wilkins), they are +1 in the comp pick formula so far.
There are still a few Raiders free agents yet unsigned. Including tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, and guard Greg Van Roten. They will also have to replace those guys, so they are likely not done with adding outside free agents themselves.
