The preparation for the 2023 NFL season is well underway as the Kansas City Chiefs are wrapping up their first of three groups of OTAs. The offseason workouts mesh veterans and younger players together to stay in shape and build early continuity.
A player that has shown considerable growth since being drafted in 2021 is linebacker Nick Bolton, who is seeking a chance to take his game to the next level. Bolton was a defensive leader for the Chiefs last season, showing an uncanny veteran savvy for a young player. He addressed his goals for the 2023 season, which center around bringing more respect to the defensive side of the ball.
“Our defense is definitely gonna be hungry,” said Bolton. “We don’t really get the respect that we deserve. Over the years, the three-four years I’ve been here, and I’ve been watching from Mizzou, the Chiefs defense doesn’t get the recognition it deserves, myself included. So there is a hungry aspect of it. I can tell you say that I’m hungry as ever.”
Bolton finished the 2022 season second in the NFL in combined and solo tackles but surprisingly wasn’t selected for the Pro Bowl. The 180 total tackles led the Chiefs, and he showed versatility, collecting two sacks, two interceptions, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.
Right now, he’s working to sharpen his skills with new and old teammates alike.
“I think coach really does a great job with these camps or these OTAs and into the last mandatory camp of making us use our feet and our mind,” said Bolton. “Those two things I feel like we can build on where they begin alignment communication showing different looks shuffling with our feet covering where our feet, keeping our hands off receivers at the line of scrimmage, and take the physicality part out of the game and just play with our minds and our feet. I feel like that kind of helps us throughout the season, especially in the back half of the season. When guys get a little dinged up, they don’t have the same speed, same agility as you have early in the season, your mind has been sharp for the last six months, and you’re able to go out there and produce still.”
Bolton had the momentum-changing highlight in the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVII victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. The touchdown off of a Jalen Hurts fumble in the first half got Kansas City back into the game and further cemented his importance as a leader and playmaker in the franchise. If he can pick up where he left off, he’ll surely meet his goals for the 2023 NFL season.
