Former Mizzou linebacker, Nick Bolton, is entering his fourth season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but Bolton is playing with more motivation now than ever before. After tallying 100 or more total tackles in his first two seasons, 2023 was not kind to the two time Super Bowl Champion.
He dealt with multiple injuries, including a sprained ankle and fractured his wrist. This caused Bolton to miss nine games last season. Coming into 2024, Bolton will take on a new approach.
According to USA Today's Ed Easton Jr, Bolton said "I got to be true to myself, first and foremost, not necessarily to the outside. I feel I can play a lot better football. I think last year’s kind of the first year where I battled some adversity in terms of injuries in my career period, and so things like toughness with that, learning who I am as a person, learning who I can lean on outside of football."
Coming back from injury, Bolton will be taking on a different role this season. Defensively, the Chiefs have lost a number of impact player, including L'Jarius Sneed, Mike Edwards, and Willie Gay Jr. They'll have to lean more on the leadership of their fourth-year man. The absence of these veterans means guys like Bolton will have to step up vocally, which has already been scene at training camp.
Check it out: 'STP' has made it to Chiefs training camp ⤵️ #Mizzou alum Nick Bolton is entering the final year of his contract in Kansas City, but isn't focused on that this season: "I think I got a lot to prove to myself...I just feel like I can play a lot better football." pic.twitter.com/PZ02Eio8ar
— Nathalie Jones (@NathalieABC17) July 22, 2024
Bolton has even more to play for with a potential big money contract on the line. With that at stake, Nick Bolton made it known he has "Something to Prove" this season.