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Report Hints Key Chiefs Free Agent Rejecting Contract Extension Talks During the Season

By Joseph Grassano

Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kansas City Chiefs General Manager Brett Veach talks to the media at the 2024 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Many key Chiefs players have expiring contracts this offseason. Right guard Trey Smith and linebacker Nick Bolton are among those players.

Smith is set to potentially become the highest-paid guard in the NFL, which could take the Chiefs out of the conversation to re-sign him. On the other hand, re-signing Bolton could still be in the cards for the Chiefs.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirmed the Chiefs' interest in keeping Bolton in his latest article.

Chiefs Rumors: Nick Bolton to Wait Until Season's End for Contract Negotiations

"There's a path for Bolton to remain in Kansas City. The Chiefs linebacker is a team leader with great intangibles. Assuming the Chiefs can't front the bill on Trey Smith, they could instead allocate resources to retain Bolton, who is more affordable as an off-ball linebacker. Bolton can work off Patrick Queen's three-year, $41 million deal from March as a potential comp. His reps will speak to Kansas City some time after the season and see where it goes."

- Jeremy Fowler ESPN

During the Chiefs' back-to-back Super Bowl seasons, Bolton has been a key piece in the middle of the defense. Over this two-year span, Bolton has gathered 240 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, three interceptions, two sacks, and one forced fumble.

Bolton missed eight games in 2023 due to ankle and wrist injuries, or he would have been more productive. Missing that time is most likely why Bolton is waiting to sign a contract.

Although he's been highly productive as a starter, missing those eight games most likely affected what the Chiefs were willing to give him before this season. As long as Bolton doesn't get hurt again before the end of this season, his contract value increases.

Making Fowler's estimated contract extension more plausible. At the end of the day, if the Chiefs are unable to extend Smith, they most definitely need to extend Bolton. Keeping Bolton a part of this high-powered defense will help the Chiefs continue to keep games close if their offense struggles.

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