Nick Bolton explains why the Chiefs’ 2024 season will be different from the others

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The Kansas City Chiefs’ 2021 draft class is packed with talent who are willing to do whatever it takes to win a third consecutive Super Bowl.

Especially on defense, KC has been facing some difficulties throughout this offseason when it comes to injuries.

Chris Omenihu, BJ Thompson and Nick Bolton are going through a tough time. But the coaching staff isn’t worried about their performance, as they’ll be ready to play soon.

It’s worth remembering how crucial the defense was for most of the 2023 season. They were one of the youngest in the NFL and sustained the offense, which was struggling with its receiving corps and drop rates.

Bolton, one of the best linebackers in the league today, put on a show in 2022 postseason and positively impacted the Chiefs’ path to the Super Bowl title.

Nick Bolton’s final year of rookie contract

As Bolton enters his last year of rookie contract, Kansas City will have to take care of his future by the end of 2024.

Recently, Creed Humphrey signed a massive extension that made him the hightest-paid center in the NFL. He was also drafted in 2021.

Nick has suffered an elbow injury in July during one of the training camp practices. At first, everyone feared that his injury was serious and he would be sideline for a long time, but fortunately he got back to work in 12 August.

This past Wednesday, Bolton shared with the media his health’s situation and assured that he will be ready for Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

“I just kind of got banged up. It was a bang-bang play. I was just getting work; it was an accident. The guys [were] just flying around having fun, and I just happened to be in a crossfire.

“I got some time off. I got healthy. I’m out there with the guys now. I’m ready to roll. We’re looking forward to going to Baltimore. Yeah, I’ll be ready to go for that one.”

It’s likely that Nick Bolton will have to wear an elbow brace for a few games.

“[To] start the season, I probably will,” said. “It’s probably something I could probably get right up as the season progresses and how I feel with it. To start the season off, I’ll probably have something on there just to protect it a little bit.”

Bolton doesn’t believe his absence of preseason games will affect his performance

Bolton was sincere about what it was possible for him to do while he was still recovering.

“The whole thing – training camp and preseason – [I was] just kind of getting out there and just going through my mechanics. I think that is kind of huge. Especially [in the] preseason and our defense, it’s a lot of communication and getting guys on the same page. I definitely missed that aspect of it.”

He did everything in his power not to ‘fall behind’ his teammates when he returned to training.

“I think I’ve done a great job of kind of just getting in where I can. Making my calls and making my checks and going through the mental part of the game. How can I get prepared for Week 1? I will continue to do that and stay a little bit late. I’ve talked to coach Spags a little bit on the side and talked to the guys who have been playing and learn from them as well as we go.”

KC’s veteran linebacker has high expectations fot the matchup against the Ravens and for the season as a whole:

“It’s completely different than last year. I think it is a good thing. We have our own identity, guys who are emerging as leaders. We got young guys that are stepping up.”

He’s also confident about the rookie defenders that arrive at Kansas City’s facilities.

“That definitely helps that whenever we (injured veterans) come back,” he stated. “Guys like [rookie safety] Jaden Hicks aren’t about to make all the calls and [can] just go out there and play. Play fast and use his instincts. I think that has been huge. I think the young guys stepping up in the back half of camp and early in the preseason definitely helped us out – helped us grow a little bit and made us a better defense.”

What about Bolton’s future with the Chiefs

Having the possibility to reach the free-agency after the end of this season, Nick Bolton doesn’t seem worried about what the future holds for him.

The defender is just focused on playing American football and enjoying himself on the field.

“I went through that [injury] last year a little bit, and so now it’s just about having fun…You realize again, I’ve been 23 years healthy [and] never been on injury side of it. So, you’re getting a little respect for how the game is played and how to play it.”

Bolton’s priority: Sunday games.

“I’ve just got to take the good with the bad and just roll the punches. [I’m] just going out there executing the game plan, having fun and getting up with my teammates and my brothers. I think that’s what we live for: we all live for Sundays.”