2. Dalvin Tomlinson
You could tell a similar story with Dalvin Tomlinson as the one told on Michael Pierce. However, Tomlinson would be more of a direct Bilal Nichols replacement than an Eddie Goldman upgrade. When we broke down the next contract for Nichols, Dalvin Tomlinson was a name who came up.
The two have similar stats to start their career, Tomlinson is just a bit older. Of course, with free agency, that could mean a lot for Nichols. Nichols is hitting the market at the right time in his life, and also into a situation where there are not many big-name interior tackles. He could price himself out of Chicago wanting him to return.
Beyond that, Tomlinson comes from the 4-3, and could be a better fit. The Minnesota Vikings would save $5M if they wanted to move on from Tomlinson.
If he were released, he would certainly be behind Nichols on the economic pecking order, but at the same time would be a better bang for the Chicago Bears buck. If Nichols does move, the Bears should be looking into what the Vikings will do with Dalvin Tomlinson.