Andrew Billings Bio
Andrew Mitchell Billings is an American professional football defensive tackle for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 6, 1995, in Waco, Texas, he played college football for the Baylor Bears and entered the NFL after being selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fourth round of the 2016 NFL draft. Known for his rare combination of power and quickness for an interior lineman, Billings has built a career on stopping the run and disrupting opposing backfields.
After several seasons as a rotational player, Billings has developed into a durable starter and a respected veteran presence on defensive lines across the league. His journey from a record-breaking high school powerlifter to a starting NFL defensive tackle reflects steady development and perseverance through injuries and roster changes.
Early Life and Background
Andrew Mitchell Billings was born on March 6, 1995, in Waco, Texas. He grew up in the same central Texas city where he would eventually become a celebrated high school athlete. From a young age, Billings gravitated toward strength-based sports, drawn to lifting, competition, and the discipline required to improve his body.
Billings attended Waco High School, where he was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star football recruit. His rare physical tools and explosiveness made him one of the most sought-after defensive line prospects in the state. As a senior, he committed to Baylor University to continue his football career at the collegiate level.
Outside of football, Billings was an accomplished competitive powerlifter. During his high school years, he broke a longstanding Texas powerlifting record previously held by Mark Henry, totaling 2,010 pounds across three lifts. That mark included an 805-pound squat, a 500-pound bench press, and a 705-pound dead lift, demonstrating the raw strength that would later become a hallmark of his playing style.
Path to American Football
Billings arrived at Baylor University as a highly regarded recruit and quickly carved out a role on the defensive line. As a true freshman in 2013, he played in 11 games and made two starts while recording 29 total tackles, signaling his readiness to contribute at the Big 12 level. His combination of size, leverage, and explosiveness translated well to the college game.
As a sophomore in 2014, Billings started all 13 games for the Baylor Bears and was named First-team All-Big 12 Conference after recording 37 tackles and two sacks. His steady performance throughout the season established him as one of the top interior defensive linemen in the conference and set the stage for a dominant junior campaign.
In his 2015 junior season, Billings posted career highs in total tackles with 39, solo tackles with 31, tackles for loss with 14, and sacks with 5.5. His standout play earned him Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors, which he shared with Emmanuel Ogbah, along with Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and another First-team All-Big 12 selection. After that season, he chose to forgo his senior year and declared for the 2016 NFL draft.
Andrew Billings Career
Pre-Draft and Combine (2016)
As one of the top defensive tackle prospects in his class, Billings received an invitation to the NFL Combine and completed all required drills. Fox Sports listed him among the top five biggest winners from the combine, where scouts praised his display of raw strength coupled with exceptional quickness and speed for a man of his size. His performance strengthened his projection as a potential first-round pick.
On March 16, 2016, Billings participated at Baylor’s Pro Day alongside several other prominent teammates, including Corey Coleman and Xavien Howard. A record 61 team representatives and scouts from all 32 NFL teams attended the workout. Billings improved his times across the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, 10-yard dash, short shuttle, and three-cone drill, reinforcing his status as a top-tier prospect entering the draft.
Cincinnati Bengals (2016–2019)
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Billings in the fourth round with the 122nd overall pick of the 2016 NFL draft, making him the 16th defensive tackle taken that year. His fall in the draft was unexpected, as he had been projected as a first-round pick by multiple outlets, including Pro Football Focus, Todd McShay, and Mel Kiper Jr. The Bengals signed him to a four-year, $2.87 million contract that included a signing bonus of $535,845.
Billings’ rookie season was cut short when he suffered a knee injury during training camp and was placed on injured reserve. He returned healthy the following year and made his professional regular season debut against the Baltimore Ravens. On November 24, 2017, he earned his first career start against the Tennessee Titans, recording a season-high four combined tackles. Over his time in Cincinnati, Billings developed into a reliable rotational piece on the defensive line.
Cleveland Browns (2020–2021)
On March 26, 2020, Billings signed with the Cleveland Browns as a free agent. He chose to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on August 4, 2020, preserving his health for the following year. He was later waived by the Browns on November 13, 2021, after returning to the field.
Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs (2021)
Shortly after his release, Billings was signed to the practice squad of the Miami Dolphins on November 16, 2021. On January 19, 2022, he joined the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad, gaining valuable experience within contending organizations during the latter part of the 2021 season.
Las Vegas Raiders (2022)
On February 27, 2022, Billings signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. He started all 14 games he played in during the 2022 season and recorded a career-best 39 total tackles. His strong campaign established him as a full-time starting defensive tackle in the NFL and set the stage for his next opportunity in free agency.
Chicago Bears Era (2023–Present)
On March 16, 2023, Billings signed with the Chicago Bears. He started all 17 games for the Bears during the 2023 season at defensive tackle, providing steady production and leadership in the middle of the defensive line. On November 2, 2023, he signed a two-year contract extension worth $8.5 million, with $6 million guaranteed, reflecting his importance to the team’s defensive plans.
In 2024, Billings continued his role as a starter. On September 15, 2024, he collected his first career forced fumble, using his helmet to knock the football out of the hands of Houston Texans running back Cam Akers. On November 7, 2024, Billings was placed on injured reserve after undergoing surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle, ending his season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Billings is widely recognized for his exceptional raw power, a trait that dates back to his record-breaking high school powerlifting days. He combines that strength with surprisingly quick feet and lateral mobility for an interior lineman, allowing him to anchor against the run and collapse the pocket against the pass. His technique, leverage, and football intelligence have made him a dependable three-down defender in multiple defensive schemes.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most memorable moments of his career was breaking Mark Henry’s Texas high school powerlifting record with a 2,010-pound total. Billings also recorded his first career forced fumble in 2024 against the Houston Texans, a signature play that highlighted his aggressive playing style. His unexpected drop in the 2016 NFL draft, from a projected first-round pick to the fourth round, has remained a defining motivation throughout his professional journey.
Andrew Billings Career Wins
While Andrew Mitchell Billings is recognized primarily for his contributions along the defensive line rather than for championship victories, his career has included several individual and team milestones. He has been a reliable starter for multiple NFL franchises and a key contributor to run-stopping efforts throughout his career.
College Career Highlights
At Baylor University, Billings earned First-team All-Big 12 Conference honors in both 2014 and 2015. In 2015, he was named Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, capping one of the most decorated individual seasons in Baylor’s recent history. He finished his college career with 106 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.
Other Achievements and Performances
Billings’ career-best 39 total tackles came during the 2022 season with the Las Vegas Raiders, a campaign that solidified his reputation as a starting-caliber defensive tackle. His 17 starts for the Chicago Bears in 2023 represented his first full season as an every-down player, reinforcing his durability and consistency.
Andrew Billings Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Andrew Mitchell Billings was raised in Waco, Texas, the same community where he attended Waco High School and first developed his athletic abilities. He was a four-star football recruit and a record-breaking high school powerlifter, traits that reflected a strong support system at home focused on discipline, training, and competitive success.
Personal Life
Billings continues to make his home in the United States, where he balances the demands of an NFL career with his personal interests. He is widely respected in league circles for his work ethic and team-first mentality, qualities that have helped him thrive across multiple franchises.
2025 Season Outlook
Andrew Mitchell Billings is expected to return to the Chicago Bears in 2025 after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle that ended his 2024 campaign. The Bears have committed to him as a starting defensive tackle, and his two-year contract extension worth $8.5 million reflects a long-term investment in his role on the defensive line. His recovery timeline and performance during the offseason will be key storylines to monitor as training camp approaches.
The 2025 season represents an opportunity for Billings to re-establish himself as a full-time starter and contribute to a young Bears defense. His veteran presence, run-stopping ability, and leadership in the locker room will be valuable assets as the team continues its defensive rebuild.