Nick Bolton was going to receive plenty of free agent interest on the open market as one of the top available linebackers—that is, if he would have made it there. Instead, the Kansas City Chiefs stepped in and found a way to retain Bolton through the 2027 NFL season with a deal worth up to $45 million.
While Bolton is a productive and popular player, the position that he plays and some overall limitations in his skill set, have made responses to the announcement a bit mixed. Most fans seem positive on the whole, but reviews run the spectrum from various parts of Chiefs Kingdom. That makes an overview of reactions important to consider.
The most important angle of this deal for those who disapprove of the years or amount, which includes $30 million guaranteed, is that Bolton is more important to the Chiefs than anyone else. He serves as the defensive heart, the centerpiece of what defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants to do.
With his 3 year, $45M extension from the #Chiefs, Nick Bolton is now the 5th highest average paid off-ball linebacker in foobtall.
A reported $30M guaranteed also ranks him 5th.
— Spotrac (@spotrac) March 9, 2025
Given that the Chiefs were set to potentially lose Bolton and Justin Reid, perhaps the most important voice and leader in the secondary, the Chiefs were wise to get something done with one of them.
Every player on the Chiefs defense will tell you that Nick Bolton is Steve Spagnuolo’s favorite, and there is a reason.
The complexity of the KC defense is completely dependent on the MIKE linebacker.
If you trust in Spags, in Bolton you trust too.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) March 9, 2025
A great point was made here in that the NFL is a copycat league, so after watching Saquon Barkley dominate last season, teams are going to need stronger run defenders are drafting and planning for more vertical schemes in recent years.
The run game is starting to make a big return in the NFL. Having Nick Bolton at MLB is a strong move for the #Chiefs. He led KC in TFL and was one of the few non EDGE defenders to be in the top 32 in the league in that category. He’s important. #ChiefsKingdom
— CitadelChief (@citadelchief) March 9, 2025
Some fans are mixed on the matter, however, with an appreciation for Bolton overall but uncertain what to make of the price tag involved. Perhaps it feels like the defensive version of the “do we pay a running back?” debates.
Not big on Bolton but made my peace with him staying a long time ago. They love him. It is what it is. Could do worse. https://t.co/U0GjZS3KVU
— Nick Roesch (@Nicolas_Roesch) March 9, 2025
Maybe Andy Reid is meddling here. Maybe not. Some fans seem to think so, but it’s important to note that everyone within the organization’s leadership seems to be in lockstep in terms of the Chiefs’ needs and goals. To think that Reid and general manager Brett Veach would want different things would be a curveball.
The Trey Smith and Nick Bolton moves to me are what happens when you have a HC who is still very much involved in personnel & only answers to the owner. Veach is the GM, but he has to oblige his coach more than others in my opinion.
— Alex Gold (@AlexGold) March 9, 2025
Still, there’s no pleasing some fans at all.
Nick Bolton makes 5 plays a year and the rest of the time you’ll see him chasing down tight ends that have gotten away from him and taking poor tackling angles. Terrible idea to keep him around.
— Foh Nem 🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@BurlyboyRig) March 9, 2025
What’s needed here is a voice of reason to sort out the truth. Here’s an acknowledgement of all angles that could be argued with a wise summation of the bigger picture.
The Nick Bolton discourse is annoying. Chiefs fans either say he sucks or is the second coming of Ray Lewis. The truth is he’s a very good linebacker with a few clear weaknesses (like sideline to sideline speed). He’s one of the smarter players in the league and it’s pretty clear…
— Adam Best (@Arrowhead_Adam) March 9, 2025
If it’s any consolation, the Denver Broncos were reportedly wanting in on Bolton’s services this offseason.
After talking to sources, the two ILBs to really have your eye on for Denver to pursue in free agency are:
— Jamien Sherwood from the Jets
— Robert Spillane from the Raiders
It was my understanding Nick Bolton was going to be a top target for the Broncos in free agency, but…
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) March 9, 2025
