Nickelback (American football)

Usually, the nickelback will take the place of a linebacker, so if the team had been in a 4–3 formation, the four defensive linemen would remain, alongside only two linebackers and now-five defensive backs, creating a 4-2-5 formation.

However, some teams will replace a lineman rather than a linebacker, creating a three-linemen, three-linebacker and five-defensive back alignment, a 3–3–5 formation.

Usually, extra defensive backs, such as a nickelback, are substituted into the defense in situations where the opposing offense is likely to attempt a forward pass, such as 3rd-and-long, or when extra receivers are substituted into the opposing offense.

Some teams, such as the Sean McDermott-coached Buffalo Bills, use a base nickel defense, with slot corner Taron Johnson serving as a consistent starter on the Bills due to this philosophy.

[2] Other notable defensive backs known for playing primarily in the slot include Trent McDuffie, Kyle Hamilton,[3] Elijah Molden, Michael Carter II and more recently, Cooper Dejean.