As the Kansas City Chiefs prepare to defend their second straight Super Bowl win against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, some are already thinking about roster move for next season.
The Chiefs and general manager Brett Veach will have some tough decisions to make heading into the offseason, whether or not they become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls.
One of the biggest roster question marks will be linebacker Nick Bolton. The former Missouri Tiger is playing out the final year of his contract and will enter free agency this offseason – and he’ll demand a sizeable contract from whatever team is willing to pay it.
Mason Cameron of Pro Football Focus ranks Bolton as one of the top linebackers who will hit free agency, and he predicts the Chiefs lose him to the AFC West rival Las Vegas Raiders.
“With Robert Spillane’s contract set to expire this offseason, the Raiders face the difficult decision of whether to extend the 29-year-old linebacker,” Cameron wrote. “Armed with ample cap space, Vegas could opt to invest in a younger option that emulates a similar skill set as a strong downhill run stopper in Bolton.
“Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is familiar with Bolton’s game, as they’ve played against each other in the AFC West, which could ease the investment required to bring in the 25-year-old.”
Bolton has been an important cog in the machine that has been the Chiefs’ defense since 2021 when Kansas City drafted him in the second round that year.
This season, Bolton posted 106 total tackles with 73 solo and 11 for loss. He added seven quarterback hits, three sacks, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries.
