There's no question that Nick Bolton is a valuable member who lives at the heart of the Kansas City Chiefs defense. The only variable is just how valuable.
This postseason, Bolton has been gifted an incredible chance to increase his worth to NFL teams significantly.
As the Chiefs prepare to host the Houston Texans as they kick off their postseason run toward a three-peat, there are many players who should have even greater incentive than chasing Super Bowl glory to put on their best performances. Bolton stands as the ideal example.
Bolton, a 24 year old linebacker, and Trey Smith, the Chiefs' starting right guard, are the prime free agents on the team scheduled to hit free agency this offseason. But there's already no question as to Smith's value as the potential top guard available (if the Chiefs fail to extend his contract). Just last year the guard market reset, which means Smith could be heading for $20 million annually.
Back to Bolton. Undoubtedly he will receive a very generous raise from some team—Chiefs or otherwise—but just how high that number will go is debatable.
As one of the league's most talented off-ball linebackers, Bolton's skill set will earn him several suitors. His instincts are elite and he's a ferocious tackler. He's brilliant against the run but he's an every-down defender who serves as a leader and communicator in the middle. A lower ceiling in coverage, however, could keep that ceiling lower.
That's where this postseason run comes into play for Bolton. What Bolton will bring to the free agent table that others will not is his level of championship experience. He will be newly 25 years in age with multiple titles in hand—a combination that's rare to hit the market. And he can add to that whatever he's able to showcase this postseason.
All eyes are going to be on the Chiefs as they chase a historic three-peat, giving young players like Bolton the chance to enhance their reputations or cement their legacies with game-altering plays and consistent excellence. As a man who makes his living in the middle of the action, Bolton could really find himself pocketing plenty more money in just a couple of month with another fantasic run with the Chiefs.