The Kansas City Chiefs are keeping a defensive stalwart in town.
K.C. agreed to terms on a 3-year, $45 million contract with linebacker Nick Bolton, 国产外流网Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per sources informed of the situation. The deal includes $30 million fully guaranteed.
Bolton led the Chiefs with 106 tackles and 11 tackles for loss in 2024.
A second-round pick in 2021, Bolton has become a three-down stud, racking up 458 tackles in four seasons, including a Chiefs single-season record 180 in 2022. He's led K.C. in tackles in three of his four campaigns.
Bolton has 559 tackles and 37 tackles for loss in his career, including playoffs. The other four players with 550-plus tackles and 35-plus TFLs over their first four seasons (including playoffs) since 2000, per 国产外流网Research, combined for 10 first-team All-Pro selections in those spans -- Luke Kuechly, Lavonte David, NaVorro Bowman, Patrick Willis.
A staple of the Chiefs' stalwart defense during the run to three straight Super Bowls, Bolton scored a 36-yard fumble return touchdown in Super Bowl LVII versus the Philadelphia Eagles, the fourth-longest fumble return TD in Super Bowl history.
A tackling machine with pass-rush ability who isn't lost in space is more than your average off-ball linebacker. Bolton is a key cog in Steve Spagnuolo's defense. Keeping him in K.C. is a coup for the back-to-back-to-back AFC champions.
