Eddie Goldman’s Pro Bowl-caliber excellence at nose tackle for the Bears was cloaked in anonymity. But Bilal Nichols’ impact as Goldman’s replacement has been hard to miss.
Make no mistake — Goldman’s absence as a coronavirus-season opt-out in 2020 has left a sizable hole in the Bears’ defense that they won’t totally fill. But Nichols’ production in his stead has helped mitigate the damage. And he’s added a big-play element that figures to put the Bears in better position next season, when Goldman presumably returns and Nichols moves back to his defensive end position.
Nichols’ sack of Kirk Cousins on the Vikings’ first offensive play from scrimmage last week helped fuel the Bears’ fast start.