The Chiefs’ Nick Bolton is ready to be the MIKE linebacker

As a rookie in 2021, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton logged 5 begins at MIKE (center) linebacker, tallying 38 tackles and two quarterback hits. However the majority of his snaps got here from the WILL (weak aspect) linebacker place, the place he excelled at stuffing the run, incomes a run defense grade of 75.4 from Pro Football Focus.

When the Chiefs made the decision to move on from Anthony Hitchens earlier this offseason, the desk was set for Bolton to step in and take his place in the course of the protection.

Talking with the media on Thursday, Bolton stated that whereas he looks like he’s making enhancements day-after-day, he believes that he nonetheless has an extended strategy to go.

“I undoubtedly really feel like I’m trending in the suitable route,” he stated. “Enjoying the MIKE is completely different from being on the surface.”

In most defenses, it’s the MIKE linebacker’s duty to verify the unit is within the right alignment — and earlier than the snap, to name out reads and make changes. This is the reason the MIKE linebacker is also known as the “quarterback of the protection.”

Bolton stated he’s prepared for the elevated duty — and likewise famous that Kansas Metropolis has quite a few different younger defenders who’re able to step up.

“I really feel prefer it’s our time,” stated the second-year linebacker. “It’s not simply me. [It’s] Willie [Gay Jr.]. We bought Justin Reid, who’s are available in to affix. [It’s also] our younger guys on the D-line. It’s our time to step up and lead as a gaggle. It’s not one individual.

“No one ought to be capable to change Hitch or Tyrann Mathieu. These guys are particular guys; there’s a purpose these guys wore C’s. And so it’s as much as us to come back in as a gaggle, and attempt to get guys in one of the best place doable to play.”

Photograph by Mitchell Layton/Getty Photographs

A MIKE linebacker is predicted to play sideline to sideline, whereas the WILL predominantly stays on the weak aspect of the formation. Bolton admitted he’s nonetheless adjusting to the distinction within the spacing of his assignments — however that he’s getting higher at it day-after-day. And to assist him cowl more room, he stated he has been targeted on bettering his health.

“Enjoying on the MIKE place, you’re going to be in on the play extra instances than you’re within the WILL place,” he defined. “I type of favored the place I used to be weight-wise final season. So I’m simply going to get [in] higher in form as we go alongside.”

If there was one knock on Bolton popping out of school, it was that he struggled in cross protection — which is an issue for any linebacker who performs in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s 4-3 Underneath scheme. In it, linebackers are anticipated to drop into protection on nearly each single passing snap.

In 287 protection snaps final season, Bolton allowed 36 of his 45 targets to be accomplished, which led PFF to give him a coverage grade of 58.3. Bolton is aware of that he wants to enhance in 2022 — and stated that he’s now seeing the sphere higher.

“Coming into the primary 12 months, all the things was shifting type of quick,” he stated. “However because the season progressed, all the things type of slowed down somewhat bit — and so this season, it simply opened up my imaginative and prescient, [being] in a position to see extra issues on the sphere at one time. I type of should play somewhat bit quicker — and in order that’s type of what I’m aiming towards.”

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Andy Reid agreed together with his linebacker’s evaluation, saying that the extra reps Bolton will get, the extra comfy he will get with trusting his instincts.

“And so the place you noticed him within the run sport actually be efficient. Now he’s in a position to work on the cross sport… And in order that’s the place you see linebackers make somewhat bounce for his or her first 12 months. And within the second and third 12 months they get all these reps with the cross sport — and I believe that’ll assist them down the street.”

Fortunately for Bolton, he faces a few of the NFL’s hardest competitors when he strains up towards Kansas Metropolis tight finish Travis Kelce.

“[Kelce] could make a stem look completely different — and run a unique route,” he noticed. “And so [I’m] simply type of studying from him, seeing what he sees after we run zone protection. He runs routes in another way versus man protection and stuff like that. So studying from him, studying how he sees himself, studying how they do their spacing on offense. It helps us out an incredible quantity.”

On the finish of the day although, Bolton is aware of that to enhance his cross protection, he in the end has to make massive performs when it issues.

“I’m attempting to capitalize on turnovers. I had a few alternatives late within the season — two of them, [against] Cincinnati, I consider I in all probability might have introduced in. It in all probability might have modified the sport somewhat bit. So simply type of engaged on these issues, being on the jugs… Once you get alternatives introduced, you bought to make them.”

However Reid isn’t involved about it.

“He’s attacking it like loopy proper now,” stated the top coach.