Chiefs LB Nick Bolton addresses the loss of key veterans in free agency

Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton has been one of the league’s top players at the position since he was drafted in 2021.

While addressing the media after Kansas City’s practice on Monday, Bolton explained that he intends to take a leading role in Steve Spagnuolo’s defense this season after the loss of veterans L’Jarius Sneed, Mike Edwards, and Willie Gay Jr. in free agency.

“I think that those guys obviously meant a lot to our team – a huge

chunk of our personality, [and] that personality changes year to year,” Bolton said. “We got a lot of guys that have been waiting to thrive in these moments Bryan Cook, Chamarri [Conner] is evolving in his role, [Justin Reid] back, we got Drue [Tranquill] that came back from last year, Leo [Chenal] is kind of emerging as one of those guys who have been a little more vocal as he gets more comfortable.

“I think it takes a little bit of everybody to kind of build a personality of a team and I kind of think that’s what training camp is for – like you find out what your personality is, find out what your DNA is, and find out what you’re made of.”

Bolton is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and with the stakes for the Chiefs’ 2024 campaign at an all-time high, now is the time for the budding young linebacker to earn his first extension in the NFL.