The Chicago Bears suffered a brutal blow to their defense when nose tackle Eddie Goldman chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Goldman’s absence will be felt in the middle of that defensive line, especially when it comes to clogging up running lanes and doing the dirty work in the trenches. Which means that the Bears defense is going to need some of those players on the defensive line to step up in Goldman’s absence.
Our Bears Wire staff shares their thoughts on which player they believe will rise to the occasion in Goldman’s absence.
Alyssa: DT Bilal Nichols
While the loss of Eddie Goldman is a devastating one, it does provide an opportunity for someone like defensive tackle Bilal Nichols to step up in his absence, especially given that Nichols is going to see an increased workload. Nichols was already expected to be a big contributor this season. But with Goldman’s absence, it’s more imperative than ever that Nichols go from average to great on this defensive line.
The Bears have one of the best run defenses in the NFL last season, a testament to Goldman’s ability to clog up running lanes. Now, Nichols, a former fifth-round pick out of Delaware, has an opportunity to step up in that same area, something he’s already shown he can do. Losing Goldman is absolutely brutal for this defense. But if it allows Nichols to step up in his third season, there could certainly be a silver lining.
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