One of the biggest decisions the Kansas City Chiefs are facing this offseason is what to do with middle linebacker Nick Bolton.
As Bolton is set to hit free agency, the Chiefs can either sign him to a long-term contract, apply the franchise tag to him, or let him walk. If they do re-sign Bolton, they will be pretty set at the LB position in 2025. If not, they’ll have a big need for a starter. Giving him the franchise tag is very unlikely.
Kansas City is set at weakside LB with Drue Tranquill and strongside LB with Leo Chenal. Cam Jones is the only other LB currently under contract in 2025. The NFL’s free agent legal tampering period starts on March 10, with signings able to become official on March 12, marking the beginning of the new league year. Let’s take a look at some potential LB options for the Chiefs in 2025.
Lavonte David
The 13-year NFL veteran may not be quite the same athlete he once was, but considering how freakishly athletic he was in his younger days David should still have some juice left. He is also still very productive, recording 122 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 12 quarterback pressures, three forced fumbles, and one interception in 2024.
David is a former All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection. He would be an instant leader on the Chiefs’ defense and would thrive in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s system. At 35-years-old, David will come affordable and on a short-term contract. This is, of course, assuming Bolton does not return to K.C.
Bobby Wagner
Like David, Wagner is another 13-year veteran who is still highly productive. Last year Wagner racked up 132 total tackles, two sacks, 11 QB pressures, one forced fumble, and four passes defensed. An 11-time All-Pro and NFL 2010s All-Decade Team member, Wagner is potentially a future Hall of Famer.
Wanger has signed one-year contracts each of the last two years, so I would expect that trend to continue, perhaps with second year option. It won’t break the bank to acquire him and it’s reasonable to believe he has a couple of more good years left in him. This move also hinges of Bolton departing.
Willie Gay Jr.
Gay spent the 2024 season with the New Orleans Saints after playing in K.C. for the first five years of his career. Still just 27-years-old, Gay is very athletic and is known for making splash plays. He was beat out by Pete Werner for a starting role in New Orleans, so Gay played just 27 percent of the Saints’ defensive snaps.
He recorded 28 tackles, three passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two sacks, which isn’t bad considering his limited playing time. If the Chiefs brough Gay back, they could move Chenal to Bolton’s MLB position and plug Gay back in as the starting SLB. Gay will come cheap and likely on a one-year “prove it” type of deal.
Nick Niemann
The brother of former Chiefs LB Ben Niemann, Nick would make for a good depth signing should K.C. re-sign Bolton. A four-year veteran, Niemann has been a good rotational LB an core special teams contributor for the Los Angeles Chargers.
Niemann has started three games throughout his career and has recorded 86 total tackles, one interception, and three passes defensed. With how much the Chiefs value their backup players being able to play well on special teams, Niemann would be a good fit in K.C.
