The nickel defense usually uses four defensive linemen and two linebackers, which creates a 4-2-5 formation. It is one of the most common formations in the NFL today because many teams rely ...

The nickel defense usually uses four defensive linemen and two linebackers, which creates a 4-2-5 formation. It is one of the most common formations in the NFL today because many teams rely ...

Nickel is the new base. It’s a phrase that’s gotten thrown around for years when talking about NFL defenses — so much so that “new” has probably lost a bit of its meaning.

The Steelers used a nickel defense 38 percent of the time in 2023, making it the most typical defensive package they put on the field. But that 38 percent was among the lowest in the NFL last season.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — On a second down in the third quarter of a Week 9 win over the Cleveland Browns, the Los Angeles Chargers defense set up in their big nickel package. In this package, safety ...

GREEN BAY − Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley appears to have settled on his secondary for his nickel defense that’s a lot different than the start of the season, but he ...