Four Chiefs players who could reach their first Pro Bowl in 2022
By Jacob Milham
Linebacker Nick Bolton
Linebacker Nick Bolton had a strong rookie season. He has picked right up where he left off in the 2022 campaign.
The Mizzou alum is the unquestioned leader of the Chiefs defense, amongst veterans and rookies alike. While Bolton’s role doesn’t fill up the headlines, it certainly stuffs the stat sheet. He currently has 45 combined tackles, which puts him amongst the league’s best linebackers in that metric. Bolton showed some early-season tackling struggles, but he has recorded at least nine tackles per game this season. He is the glue for this Chiefs’ defense.
Nick Bolton got active on MNF. 9 total tackles, 7 solo. I asked how much more comfortable he feels.
— Glenn Kinley (@glenn_kinley) October 11, 2022
"It's a complete 180 compared to a year ago."
He talks about how his mindset on defense has changed and how the defense adjusted at halftime. @_nickbolton2 #ChiefsKingdom pic.twitter.com/wMH2moromT
Bolton did not draw many Pro Bowl votes in 2021, but that is okay. He struggled in the 2021 season’s second half, with sporadic playing time and only recording two starts after Week 10. Bolton still appeared on the 2021 PFWA All-Rookie Team, one of three Chiefs on that team. Veteran linebackers Anthony Hitchens and Ben Niemann took a litany of snaps away from Bolton and other young linebackers in 2021. Once the Chiefs released Hitchens and let Niemann walk, it showed the team’s faith in Bolton’s leadership and performance.
If the Chiefs’ defense improves as a whole, Bolton will be one of the biggest benefactors. After all, the leader is praised for successes and critiqued during struggles. So far, Bolton is well on his way to a Pro Bowl selection this year.