Latest move by Packers could have just given Chiefs an idea of what a new contract for LB Nick Bolton would look like
Other teams continue to set the market on positions of need for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Green Bay Packers have signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year, $8 million contract, with the deal able to potentially reach $9.5 million. The Chiefs have a big decision to make on a linebacker of their own in […]
Other teams continue to set the market on positions of need for the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Green Bay Packers have signed linebacker Isaiah McDuffie to a two-year, $8 million contract, with the deal able to potentially reach $9.5 million.
The Chiefs have a big decision to make on a linebacker of their own in Nick Bolton, who is slated to hit free agency next week. Besides both being LBs, Bolton and McDuffie share similarities such as being selected in the 2021 NFL draft and having recorded over 100 combined tackles over the past two years.
McDuffie entered the NFL as more of a work in progress than Bolton, as Bolton has started 26 more games than McDuffie. 2024 was the first season that McDuffie started every game, but still wasn't as productive as Bolton. Here's how the two stacked up against each other statistically last season.
Bolton
- 106 total tackles
- Three sacks
- Seven quarterback pressures
- One interception
- Six passes defensed
- One forced fumble
McDuffie
- 97 total tackles
- 0.5 sacks
- Five QB pressures
- Zero interceptions
- Three passes defensed
- One forced fumble
It is also important to note that Bolton is a middle LB and McDuffie is a strongside LB, which is what Leo Chenal plays for Kansas City. With Bolton having a more experienced and productive career than McDuffie to this point, he'll command a more expensive contract.
However, McDuffie's deal is a solid place to start. It's not like Bolton's stats blew McDuffie's out of the water last season, and both are roughly the same age. Neither have Pro Bowl or All-Pro credentials, and both play in a base 4-3 scheme.
If the money is right, Bolton may be inclined to take a short-term deal like McDuffie so that he can hit free agency again while still in his 20s. The Chiefs and Bolton have each been pretty quiet regarding negotiations, but news will ramp up quickly as the free agency legal tampering period begins on Monday, March 10.
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A tough decision to be made for K.C.
