"I think he gets the best out of me."
Nichols and LaPolice spent four seasons together (2016-19) in Winnipeg, where LaPolice was the club's offensive co-ordinator. The six-foot-two, 215-pound Nichols thrived in LaPolice's offence, registering career highs in passing yards (4,472) and TD passes (28) in 2017.
Nichols was enjoying a banner '19 campaign before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. He'd led the Bombers to a 6-2 record before being hurt in a 32-16 home win over B.C., having completed 171-of-240 passes (71.25 per cent) for 1,936 yards with 15 TDs and just five interceptions.
Nichols could only watch as veteran Zach Collaros, after being acquired from Toronto later that year, went 4-0 as the starter and led the Bombers past Hamilton 33-12 for their first Grey Cup title since 1990.