Inside the mind of Nick Bolton: 10 stories that explain the Chiefs’ rising linebacker

NATE TAYLOR • NOV. 16, 2022

Meet Nick Bolton. A year ago, he led all NFL rookies with 112 tackles, and once again, as the Chiefs enter the second half of this season, Bolton is leading the team in tackles with 81. Among the league’s middle linebackers, Bolton is tied for the lead with eight tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

These are the best stories behind who he is as a person and a player, and what his leadership means to the Chiefs.

No. 1

Listening to Bolton talk is similar to listening to a podcast on double-time. Bolton, the cerebral middle linebacker, is by far the Chiefs’ fastest-talking player, a prodigy, his teammates believe, who transitions thoughts to verbalization at a rapid rate.

In training camp, Bolton explained how he wanted to improve this season with a 29-word statement that he communicated in just five seconds.

“Learning the scheme, I’m just trying to make sure I’m better with my steps, my eyes, my vision, hands, stuff like that,” he said. “Those are the little intangibles of football.”

Bolton often reminds reporters that he prefers his leadership style to be exemplary, through reliability and thoroughness rather than with rousing speeches. Communication, though, is a critical part of his job. As the Chiefs’ middle linebacker, Bolton is the defender with the green dot on his helmet, meaning he gets the play calls from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo transmitted in his ear, then relays the calls to his teammates. After relaying the play call, Bolton estimates four seconds is the maximum time he has to make pre-snap checks, audibles and alignment adjustments before the offense gets its next play in motion.

“Sometimes he gets going,” fellow linebacker Willie Gay, with a grin, said of Bolton. “He gets to thinking. It comes out so fast you’re like …”

Here Gay paused, then gave the universal body language for when you tell someone to slow down: head leaning forward, eyes squinting and palms out. Confusing moments like that happened at times last season, when Bolton was first given play-calling responsibility as a promising rookie. This season, though, Gay sees Bolton’s swift ability to process information and share it as an intangible element to the Chiefs defense’s success.

“It’s great,” Gay said of Bolton’s mind. “When he first got here, I used to tell him all the time, ‘Man, just relax. Don’t force it. Just let it flow.’ If he’s chilling, he’ll talk a little slower.”

In late August, Bolton shared what he does to relax when he’s away from the Chiefs’ training facility. In a speedy rhythm, of course, Bolton mentioned two activities. One was NBA 2K, the video game he most often plays. The next activity was even more revealing.

“I watch tape,” Bolton said. “I try to get a little bit ahead if I can.”

No. 2

Even at age 22, Bolton’s reputation inside the Chiefs’ facility is one of a loyal worker, a problem solver who is eager for the next football puzzle.

In his 24 years coaching in the NFL, Spagnuolo has always valued one-on-one time with his players. He approaches his players with jokes, an occasional story about how older schemes in the league connect to modern tactics or with questions to better connect on a more interpersonal level.

“When you see him in the hallway, like the day to day, he’s always fully into football,” Spagnuolo said of Bolton. “I don’t think there’s a moment where he’s not thinking about it. He’s always coming to me on suggestions: ‘Coach, can we do this?’

“He sees the game, he knows the game, he feels the game.”

No. 3

Bolton understands Spagnuolo has designed the Chiefs’ defensive scheme to have him rack up tackles. Star defensive tackle Chris Jones is one of the league’s best interior pass rushers, often generating penetration. L’Jarius Sneed, the speedy and intelligent nickel cornerback, sets the edge on running plays.

“It leaves me lanes to go downhill and be violent,” Bolton said last year. “It’s what I love to do.”

After most of his memorable stops, Bolton does a simple celebration: He uses his right fist to pound the left side of his chest three times.

“It’s going to be hard to find another guy in the league that tackles better than Bolton,” coach Andy Reid said last month. “I mean, he’s unbelievable.”

No. 4

Linebacker Elijah Lee, a six-year veteran, recalled the first time he watched Bolton. Growing up in nearby Blue Springs, Mo., Lee would watch the Chiefs when his team wasn’t playing at the same time. Last season, Lee had a free Sunday in late October after playing in a Thursday primetime game as a member of the Cleveland Browns. The Chiefs were in Nashville, and Bolton, making his first career start against the Tennessee Titans, was the lone positive for the team that day. The Chiefs were blown out by the Titans, but Bolton collected a career-high 15 tackles, including four for a loss. Lee said he was amazed that Bolton, in just his seventh NFL game, could win so many of the oneon-one matchups against star running back Derrick Henry.

“I’m like, ‘Yo, he can ball,’” said Lee, who plays for the Chiefs this season. Then Lee capitalize. After that final defensive stand, and a 29-yard punt return by Moore, Mahomes orchestrated the game-winning drive.

“Pat is a warrior,” said defensive lineman Chris Jones, who anchored the defense with two sacks. “His game speaks for itself. What he did for four quarters there, what he did for two-and-a-half quarters, he’s a resilient guy, and his play speaks for itself.”

Mahomes’ play certainly did, as did his ability to lead and inspire — both attributes synonymous with the greatest sports figures. But Mahomes never made it about himself. While his teammates showered him with praise, he credited them for motivating him.

“It took my teammates,” he said. “I truly believe that and just to come out here and battle against a great football team, it took all of us. At some points in games, you’ve got to put it all on the line. The defense gave us a chance. I knew I was going to get us there somehow.”

That crucial step has been taken, but Mahomes cautioned: “The job’s not finished.”

Fortunately for Mahomes and the Chiefs, he has two weeks to continue to receive treatment and rest for his ankle. And then, on Feb. 12 in Glendale, Ariz., he’ll try to lead his team to victory one more time against one of the toughest defenses he has faced all season.

Just getting back to the Super Bowl this season represents a monumental accomplishment for Mahomes, whose top wide receiver, Tyreek Hill, was traded to Miami during the offseason. Mahomes had to demonstrate patience with new and still-developing pass-catchers, which also forced him to do more with less. He made it look rather easy, passing for a career-high 5,250 yards and 41 touchdowns.

But as Mahomes prepares for the Super Bowl, he knows better than to take anything for granted.

Asked what a second Super Bowl victory would mean to him, Mahomes said: “I would appreciate it way more. … I think when I first got in the league, it all happened so fast. I won MVP and won the Super Bowl (in 2019) and I just thought that was just how it was going to be. But now that I’ve dealt with failure and losing an AFC championship (last year), losing a Super Bowl (to Tampa Bay at the end of the 2020 season), I know how much hard work and daily grind that it takes.

“So I’m just excited to get that game with the teammates I have here — a lot of new teammates that haven’t been in these Super Bowl games. Let’s bring them along and prepare them so we can go out and play our best football.”

As he prepares for the Eagles, Mahomes has a chance to join a select fraternity and become only the 13th quarterback in NFL history to win multiple Super Bowls. At just 27 years old, Mahomes already has a chance to cement himself as one of the best to play the position. The Chiefs already view him as such, and they fully expect him to position them for more greatness.

“Right now it’s an amazing feeling,” Kelce said, beaming. “I know that we have a warrior back at quarterback, going into the biggest game of the season and I know (he’s) going to give us a chance to win it.”

JON DURR / USA TODAY SPORTS