The Kansas City Chiefs kept their linebacker room together this offseason by re-signing Nick Bolton. Bolton signed a three-year deal worth $45 million to stay in Kansas City. While the full breakdown of the contract isn't available yet, many fans are surprised that the compensation wasn't higher.
The 25-year-old linebacker has put together a solid first four seasons, and with what other players at the position got paid, it felt like his asking price would be higher. That said, many fans still wanted the Chiefs to add more linebacker depth by reuniting with former Chief Willie Gay Jr.
Unfortunately, that dream came to an end on Wednesday when Gay joined Tyreek Hill in Miami. According to Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins signed Gay to a one-year deal.
Source: Free-agent linebacker Willie Gay Jr. is signing with the #Dolphins on a one-year deal.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) March 19, 2025
Willie Gay Jr. Joins the Miami Dolphins
The Chiefs selected Gay with the 63rd overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft. As a rookie, Gay saw only 25% of the defensive snaps, but by the end of his time in Kansas City, he was playing over 60% of the snaps. Over his four seasons in Kansas City, Gay recorded 233 tackles, 17 TFLs, 19 pass deflections, five sacks, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles.
His ability to make plays in Steve Spagnuolo's defense is the reason Chiefs Kingdom was clamoring for his return. Even so, Kansas City's linebacker room is still set up for success in 2025. All the starting linebackers from last season are returning, and 24-year-old Leo Chenal continues to show flashes of great play.
Given that 2025 will be the last year of Chenal's rookie contract, expect Kansas City to get all they can out of him. Even though Chiefs fans are upset about missing out on reuniting with Gay, the linebacker room remains in a decent spot.
And Gay will join former Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill in Miami.