Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a catch against Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton (32) in the first quarter in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a busy last seven days. First, they placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on right guard Trey Smith on Friday, February 28. Then, on Wednesday, March 5, Kansas City finalized a deal to send left guard Joe Thuney to the Chicago Bears when the new league year begins next week.
These two decisions have a direct impact on the future of linebacker Nick Bolton. The 24-year-old rising star is set to enter free agency and is expected to demand a considerable contract. With the decision to keep Smith, the chances of Bolton staying with the Chiefs were already slim to none.
That said, the odds he stays now are nearly zero after another potential free-agent linebacker got extended. On Wednesday, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Zack Baun to a three-year $51 million extension, according to Around the Horn NFL. While Baun was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2024, it was his only season of production compared to Bolton’s four seasons of work.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Eagles re-signing LB Zack Baun to three-year, $51M contracthttps://t.co/Z72z486PlC pic.twitter.com/PciSxyfvX5
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Nick Bolton Could Receive a Better Deal Than Zack Baun
Baun’s extension provides him an average annual salary of $17 million a season. In 2024, Baun recorded 151 tackles, 11 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four pass deflections, and one interception. While that’s a tremendous season, the 28-year-old doesn’t have a track record of these types of seasons. Thus, 2024 could have been a flash in the pan.
Bolton, on the other hand, has over 100 tackles in three of his first four seasons. The only season he failed to reach that mark was 2023 when he missed half the season due to injuries. Boltons has recorded 458 tackles, 32 TFLs, 15 pass deflections, five sacks, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his career.
That consistent level of production shows that the 24-year-old should make more than Baun. Yet, Spotrac projects him to sign a four-year deal worth $49.25 million. That contract would mean that Bolton is getting around $5 million less a season than Baun.
Even though he has one additional year on his deal, Bolton definitely deserves more money than Baun. As a result, Bolton’s days in Kansas City are likely over unless the Chiefs want to pay him top dollar.
Nevertheless, Chiefs Kingdom appreciates Bolton for his contributions and wishes him the best in his future should he not re-sign with the organization.
