KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A captain for the Kansas City Chiefs defense is officially back after agreeing to terms on a contract days before free agency begins.
Linebacker Nick Bolton, 24, got an early birthday present, signing a three-year deal worth $45 million one day prior to his 25th birthday, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter.
According to Schefter, Kansas City will give Bolton $30 million as part of a signing bonus on the deal.
Just in: LB Nick Bolton is re-signing with the Chiefs on a 3-year, $45 million deal, including $30M fully guaranteed at signing, per source. pic.twitter.com/JJ5FCYd5Nl
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 9, 2025
The 5-foot-11 product out of Mizzou was drafted by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft with the 58th overall pick. He signed a 4-year, $5.83 million rookie contract after being drafted by the Chiefs and received a proven performance escalator in 2024 that increased his salary to $2.9 million for his final season with the Chiefs.
Bolton had a team-high in tackles in 2024, 2022 and 2021 for Kansas City. He missed time due to a broken forearm in the 2023 season, which caused him to start only 8 games and finish sixth on the team in tackles that season.
In 57 career, regular-season games, Bolton totaled 458 tackles, 5 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries and 4 interceptions.
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown after...
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown after recovering a fumble by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 57 football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)(Ross D. Franklin | AP)
Bolton famously returned a 36-yard scoop-and-score fumble from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts for a game-tying touchdown in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVII. That was one of two Chiefs Super Bowl victories the former Mizzou Tiger was a part of.
Bolton was the highest-selected player in the Chiefs 2021 NFL Draft class. That class included Chiefs center Creed Humphrey, tight end Noah Gray and right guard Trey Smith, who all remain a part of Kansas City’s roster -- each having agreed to a contract extension (or in Trey Smith’s case been franchise tagged) to remain with the organization beyond their rookie deal.
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