Over the past few seasons in Kansas City, the Chiefs’ linebacker corps has undergone a bit of a youth movement. The two players who have been at the forefront of that movement, Willie Gay Jr. and Nick Bolton, share a tight-knit bond. They know each other from back in their college days, back when Bolton was being recruited. Their teams also met on the gridiron during their days in the SEC.
Chiefs HC Andy Reid spoke about the bond that these two players share back during OTAs.
“They’ve got a bond,” Reid said. “They’ve known each other a long time, so they’ve got that natural thing that’s going on there. And they work at it, so I’ve liked what I’ve seen. I think both of them are much more comfortable with what we’re doing right now than what they were at the beginning of last year. It’s been so far so good. Productive. It’s been good. This camp has been good for those guys.”
Speaking to the media at mandatory minicamp, Gay was asked about his relationship with Bolton. He described him as a brother and explained how they support and feed off of each other, both on and off the football field.
“I know I’m older than him, but we both feed off of each other,” Gay said. “He’s doing a great job. Just that chemistry, man. We feel like we’re brothers sometimes, you know? That’s how we treat each other, that’s how we interact with each other. Out on that field, we just keep the energy flowing. He does something good and I’m happy for him. I do something good and he’s happy for me. We teach each other — If I don’t know something he knows it (and vice versa). It’s just like that.”
This upcoming season, Bolton is expected to wear the green dot, call plays and get everyone lined up on the defensive side of the ball. Gay has a great deal of confidence in Bolton’s ability to successfully lead the defense. He even likened his leadership to that of former Chiefs LB Anthony Hitchens.
“You know, my rookie year when we had (Anthony Hitchens), I’d seen a leader that was like— I’d never seen before in a middle linebacker,” Gay said. “When Nick (Bolton) came in I was like, ‘By god, he picked up right where Hitch left off.’ Each and every day and each and every week he’s just growing as a MIKE linebacker — as a leader.”
We’ll see how Bolton grows into his new role during the course of the upcoming season. For now, we at least know that he has a fervent supporter in the room willing to help him as adjusts in 2022.
