The Kansas City Chiefs have made another move to retain one of their own ahead of the 2025 NFL free agency period.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Chiefs have agreed on a three-year $45M deal with LB Nick Bolton, including $30M fully guaranteed. After the franchise tag went on RG Trey Smith, Bolton was a clear offseason priority for Kansas City and joins Hollywood Brown as the latest pending free agent to re-sign with the team.
A former second-round pick out of Mizzou in the 2021 NFL draft, Bolton has been a starting middle linebacker in Kansas City since early in his career, appearing in 57 regular-season games with 53 starts. He’s probably the most successful player they’ve had at the position since Derrick Johnson.
The 24-year-old has recorded 458 total tackles, 32 tackles for loss, five sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, 15 passes defended and one defensive touchdown. In the postseason, he has 102 combined tackles, five tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two passes defended, and another defensive touchdown. He’s a two-time Super Bowl champion.
Staying in Kansas City is exactly what Bolton wanted from the 2025 offseason. Although his game has some clear limitations, he has Steve Spagnuolo’s trust and respect and has proven to be adept at making big plays in big moments. Retaining him likely means the Chiefs won’t be shopping for free-agent linebackers, but they could still look to the draft with Drue Tranquill and Leo Chenal set to be pending free agents in 2026.