KC Chiefs LB Nick Bolton on KC's Evolving Defense, Ankle Injury, and Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift
Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton is the backbone of the defense. Bolton is enjoying a terrific start to his 2023 campaign for a Chiefs defense that currently ranks fourth in scoring (13.3 points per contest). Bolton will continue being a difference-maker for the Super Bowl champion defending Chiefs.
Bolton recently joined Arrowhead Report for an exclusive conversation while promoting his partnership with Campbell’s Chunky and the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. Bolton discussed Steve Spagnuolo’s defense, the return of Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, fighting food inequality and more. It’s full steam ahead for Bolton and yet another excellent Chiefs squad.
JM: You’ve teamed up with Campbell’s Chunky to host a food donation event at Harvesters Food Bank in Kansas City as part of the Chunky Sacks Hunger relief program. The program is designed to fight food inequality. Why is this cause so important to you and your family?
Nick Bolton: I view this as a huge opportunity to give back to the Kansas City community that I love so much. First and foremost, I grew up admiring NFL players that made it a point of emphasis to give back. I appreciate Campbell’s Chunky and the Chunky Sacks Hunger program for helping me do just that.
I’ve always modeled myself after the NFL players that understand how to carry themselves on a day-to-day basis. I’ve always wanted to be a part of this brotherhood. I’m seizing the opportunity, if you will. I’m having fun with it.
I’m giving back to a Kansas City community that has given us so much. This community is a huge reason why we’ve won Super Bowls. They’re a huge reason why we advance to the AFC Championship Game.
I want to give back to this community as much as I can.
JM: It’s a terrific program and you all are doing amazing work together to fight food inequality in Kansas City. You’re in the midst of your third season, and you seem more comfortable to me than ever, both on and off the field. You took a huge step forward as a sophomore last year, recording career highs in tackles (108), sacks (2.0) and interceptions (2). What changed for you?
Nick Bolton: I think you hit the nail on the head. I’m more comfortable with the guys around me, and with the coaching staff. I’m more comfortable in my own skin, if you will. I’m not a rookie anymore. Heck, I’m not even a second-year guy anymore (laughs).
I was playing in a different role as a rookie and as a starter. I needed time to acclimate to new responsibilities. I’m more comfortable. I’ve been able to start stringing together some consistency. I’m comfortable with my play speed and what I’m seeing out there. I’m going through the checks.
The guys around me, we essentially retained every single starter on the defense from last season. We’ve been together for two years now. We have a special sense of camaraderie. You can’t replicate that energy.
You’ve seen it throughout these first few weeks of the 2023 season. It’s different than it’s been in past years. We’re looking to build on that momentum.
Feb 15, 2023; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton gives a speech at the Super Bowl LVII Champions Parade in downtown Kansas City, Mo. Mandatory Credit: Amy Kontras-USA TODAY Sports
JM: It’s also year three for you in coach Steve Spagnuolo’s excellent defense. How has Spags’ defense changed? What’s the main difference between your rookie year (2021) and now?
Nick Bolton: I think it starts with the personnel. We have a lot more depth now than we had then. We have a bunch of different linebackers rotating in and out of the lineup. We’re definitely lining up with more defensive backs on the field now than we did then.
We’re able to do a lot defensively. We have more defenders that specialize in coverage. We can stop the run, too. We have different packages to stop the pass. We have a bunch of difference-makers playing across the line of scrimmage. We’re using those guys to our advantage.
We have a lot of young playmakers on the back end as well. The secondary is filled with young talent. Those guys are playing lights out for us. We have quite the youth movement going on in the secondary.
All in all, it comes down to striking that perfect balance between youth and experience. I think that’s what makes this version of coach Spags’ defense so special. We’re seeing it this year.
JM: Speaking of, I’ve been really impressed with your work in coverage this season. I feel like you’ve taken a step forward in that area. How have you gotten better in coverage?
Nick Bolton: I get to practice against the best offense in the league every single day. We have special players at quarterback and tight end. The running back room is still evolving and it has a ton of speed. They make it difficult on the defense at practice.
I try to get a little bit better every single day. I’m always working on my abilities in coverage. Our offensive coordinator understands how to challenge us. We have the play-callers to stress our defense (laughs). You know coach [Andy] Reid is always drawing something up.
I’m always getting better. I’m much more comfortable in Spags’ defense, as we touched on earlier. This defense is tailor-suited to play to our strengths. The approach changes every single down.
That’s the beautiful thing about Spags’ system. We have multiple defenses within our scheme. We’re very versatile, very multiple. We’re going to throw a bunch of different looks your way. You can’t dink and dunk us.
We’re going to mix it up and confuse opposing quarterbacks. That’s probably been my favorite development over these first couple of weeks.
JM: We’ve seen that on tape. Playing linebacker is such a physical position and you’re the poster child of physical play. Who are your top five linebackers in the league right now?
Nick Bolton: I’ll go off the top of my head. This list isn’t in any order. Roquan Smith and Fred Warner come to mind for sure. Demario Davis is playing some amazing football down there in New Orleans. I loved watching Tremaine Edmunds when he was in Buffalo. We got to see him in person on Sunday with the Bears. He plays the game a little different because he’s taller than your average linebacker. I appreciate watching and learning from him.
And last but not least, I have to include myself in the top five. I’m just being honest.
JM: We have to put you in the top five. How great does it feel to have Chris Jones back? How does he make your job easier?
Nick Bolton: Every down is easier when we have Chris Jones on the field. Everybody knows how uber-talented he is. He brings something special to the table on a snap-by-snap basis. The offense has to make him a focal point of their game plan. He eats up two blockers on almost every single down, freeing up his teammates to make plays on the ball.
Chris Jones is an extremely selfless player. He makes it easy for us linebackers to do our job. We flow to those gaps, get downhill and make those tackles.
At the end of the day, you know protection is sliding to Chris on third down. They have to respect him. It allows our backside defenders an opportunity to make a play. We get a lot of one-on-ones because of Chris Jones.
Typically speaking, they use two guys to block him and he still wins (laughs). Two guys might not be enough to block him. We feed off that energy. We’re thrilled to have him back.
Feb 12, 2023; Glendale, Arizona, US; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) recovers a fumble and runs for a touchdown Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) in the second quarter of Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
JM: The success speaks for itself. Is Travis Kelce acting brand new since he started dating Taylor Swift? Does he still answer your text messages?
Nick Bolton: Nah man, Travis is always gonna be Travis no matter what (laughs). Travis has been the same guy ever since I met him. That’s what I appreciate about him the most. He’s the same person every single day. He brings that same energy. He’s always going to show up for his teammates.
Whatever he has going on off the field, we don’t have too much invested into that (laughs). We know what Travis Kelce brings to the field. It’s always going to be a focal point of our locker room. They have to game plan for him every single week.
JM: Do they have the potential to be the best power couple since JAY-Z and Beyonce?
Nick Bolton: Hey man, if it keeps going the way it’s going, they definitely have the opportunity to do so (laughs).
JM: Absolutely (laughs). Are you hoping to return in Week 4?
Nick Bolton: Yeah, we’re just taking things day by day. I’m feeling a little bit better every single day. God willing, I’ll have the opportunity to go out there and compete. If I can go, I’ll be out there. We’ll see what’s in the plans for this week. I’m taking things day by day with my coaches and teammates. They’re offering a ton of encouragement. When I get back, I’ll be ready to go.
JM: We’re anxious to see you out there! We've appreciated your time. Thank you for the excellent work you’re doing with Chunky Sacks Hunger to help fight food inequality in Kansas City. What are Nick Bolton's goals for the rest of the 2023 campaign?
Nick Bolton: It goes back to what I said during training camp. We have the opportunity to be a top-five defense in the NFL. I stand on that. I meant it when I said it. We just have to keep growing.
We’re four weeks into the new season. It’s a long season and there’s a lot of football left to be played. We have an opportunity to go out there and be special. That’s our goal every single week.
