Granted, they're only Tea Leaves, but I've read enough this offseason that I'm gonna operate believing Nickal is moving to 197. I'll count that as Reason #1.
Reason #2, he lost wrestle-offs and Cael's postseason decision to eventual AA Rasheed last year.
Reason #3, Nick Nevills' shoulder injury, possible surgery (haven't read those tea leaves myself), long recovery
Reason #4, tired of cutting. Curious about getting big and how much success he might have there.
Not quibbling with your take, just expanding on it....