According to an annual NFL poll, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton battled injuries but was still impressive enough to be placed on a top ten off-ball linebackers list heading into the 2025 season.
In a poll of NFL decision-makers and players conducted by ESPN reporter Jeremy Fowler, Bolton is viewed as one of the best players at his position.
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The annual poll consists of voters giving the network staff their best ten players at a position. Then, they compiled the results and ranked candidates based on the number of top-10 votes, composite average, and dozens of interviews, with research and film study help from ESPN NFL analyst Matt Bowen.
“Coaches say Bolton is elite at making checks or adjustments at the line of scrimmage. “He allows [the Chiefs] to get all 11 players in the best call based on all of the information provided by the situation,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said. “Very much a coach on the field.”
Bolton returns to Kansas City on a 3-year, $45 million deal, which includes $30 million fully guaranteed at the start of the offseason. A vital member of the team’s defense remains in the fold as the former Missouri Tigers standout has played a significant role in the unit’s dominance in recent seasons.
During his four years in Kansas City, Bolton tallied 458 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles while serving as the defense’s lead communicator at linebacker.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: ESPN’s NFL poll ranks Chiefs’ Nick Bolton as the No. 4 off-ball LB