Besides the major commitments pledged to defensive tackle Chris Jones in recent years, the Kansas City Chiefs have largely watched one defender after another leave town when their rookie deals were up. However, on Sunday, they decided to keep a linebacker around for once with the news that Nick Bolton had been given a new contract extension.
The Chiefs have reportedly inked Bolton to a new three-year deal, per NFL reporter Ian Rapoport, for a cool $45 million with $30M of it in guaranteed money.
Bolton was the first of two second-round picks made by the Chiefs in the 2021 NFL Draft (along with center Creed Humphrey) and both players were reportedly in the running for new extensions given their importance to the team's success.
The Kansas City Chiefs have reached an agreement to keep linebacker Nick Bolton around for years to come.
The Chiefs have watched second- and third-level talents like cornerback Charavius Ward, linebacker Willie Gay, and corner L'Jarius Sneed leave in free agency in recent years in order to maintain financial flexibility. The team has been able to withstand such losses thanks to the draft acumen of general manager Brett Veach and the high-end talent elsewhere on the roster.
The extension of Bolton stems the tide a bit by extending the team's commitment to the heart of the defense. Bolton has been the primary leader and communicator for Steve Spagnuolo's units since his arrival in '21 and he's one of the most reliable tacklers in the game today.
Bolton rebounded in 2024 after an injury-affected season in 2023 in which he only suited up for 8 regular season games due to a problem with his left wrist—giving him only 60 tackles after racking up 180 the previous year. This year, however, had 106 tackles in 16 games for the Chiefs and earned career highs in sacks (3) and passes deflected (6).
The ability to lock up Bolton on a multi-year deal means the Chiefs like what they have in a tandem with him and Drue Tranquill in the second level. The Chiefs gave Tranquill a multi-year deal in free agency this offseason after a single-season spin in '23.
In four seasons so far with the Chiefs, Bolton is already in the top 10 in all-time solo tackles for the franchise with 289—putting him at No. 10 overall, one behind former defensive back Eric Warfield. With another healthy season, he can easily eclipse Ron Parker for top five status.