The Chiefs have agreed to a three-year deal with LB Nick Bolton. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the contract is worth $45 million, with $30 million of that fully guaranteed. That keeps Bolton from reaching unrestricted free agency.
Bolton has been a solid-to-strong fantasy contributor while spending nearly all of the past four seasons starting for the Chiefs.
The high point to date came in 2022, his first full season as a starter. Bolton finished that year second among fantasy LBs (depending on your format). But that stands as an outlier vs. his other three fantasy scoring averages.
The two seasons since have found Bolton scoring as a LB3. That has included a dip from 6.4 solo tackles per game in 2022 to 4.6 per game over the past two years.
Bolton has obviously remained a good player, though. And the Chiefs clearly believe in his all-around ability.
He retains LB1 upside but will be more attractive if available in LB2 range.
Bolton's heading into just his age-25 season. So he's likely still heading toward his fantasy prime. Sticking around Kansas City for the next three seasons certainly shouldn't hurt his fantasy outlook.
LB Drue Tranquill's playing time is capped with Nick Bolton around. Tranquill's signed through 2026, though that final season carries cuttable cap numbers.
LB Leo Chenal had a shot at earning a starting role if Bolton had left in free agency. This contract obviously eliminates that.
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