NFL insider says Chiefs 'might not prioritize linebacker' this offseason

Some news regarding Bolton's future in K.C.
AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs
AFC Championship Game: Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs | Aaron M. Sprecher/GettyImages

The downside of being a Super Bowl contender every year is that it gets harder to pay everyone on the team. The Kansas City Chiefs have experienced this pretty much every year of the Patrick Mahomes era and fans have grown accustomed to watching fan favorites depart in free agency for greener pastures.

Nick Bolton is next up on the list of players who are looking to be paid and, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, linebacker might not be a priority for the Chiefs.

"The Chiefs and Bolton are expected to discuss a potential extension after the season, but the team has many players to pay and might not prioritize linebacker. Bolton is a Steve Spagnuolo favorite and one of the leaders of the defense."

Recent report indicates that Nick Bolton might not be at the top of the Chiefs' priority list

Bolton is one of the bigger names set to hit free agency for the Chiefs in 2025. The team already paid Creed Humphrey, who was originally set to hit free agency this offseason, and it appears that Trey Smith will be too expensive to keep (Fowler links him to the Bears in this same report).

It wouldn't be shocking if the Chiefs opted not to keep Bolton, as linebacker isn't a position that teams back up the Brinks truck for. Bolton has also been very hit-and-miss with his play this past season and in a contract year, that's not ideal.

The good news is that Fowler did note the two sides appear to be open to discussing an extension and that Steve Spagnuolo is a big Bolton fan. This could end up working out but it sounds like if the Chiefs want to keep Bolton, he'll need to be open to taking a hometown discount. That's not fair to expect players who put their bodies on the line week after week to do that but if winning championships is the most important thing, they know re-signing in K.C. is the best way to do that.

It'll be yet another interesting offseason for the Kansas City Chiefs, especially if they pull off the coveted three-peat.

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