Former Mizzou linebacker Nick Bolton deemed ‘commander’ of Chiefs defense

ST. JOESPH, Mo. (KMIZ)

Former Mizzou linebacker Nick Bolton took the field Sunday at Missouri Western for his third training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs. After a breakout year last season, the team is looking for Bolton to step into a leadership role.

"Nick is the leader of the defense in that the play calling, making checks, making calls," safety Justin Reid said. "Everybody on the field has the utmost confidence in whatever Nick says, that's what we're going to do and execute."

Watch the full interview with Justin Reid below.

At just 23 years old, Bolton is now a mentor to a new group of rookies on the defense. The Chiefs went primarily defense in the 2023 NFL Draft picking Felix Anudike-Uzomah, Chamarri Conner, BJ Thompson, Keondre Coburn and Nic Jones.

Watch extended highlights from Chiefs training camp opening day below.

Bolton says he's into a role now where he is helping those guys, instead of last year when he was still trying to figure out where he fit.

"Last year, I was still trying to figure out where I belonged," Bolton said. "I played outside backer in college and in my first year here so a lot of stuff is different playing everything from outside in to going inside out."

Watch the full interview with Bolton in the player below.

In his second season, Bolton recorded 171 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, including becoming the first former Tiger to score in the Super Bowl.

"He's a transmitter there, he's got to get the secondary right, the front right, the linebackers right," head coach Andy Reid said. "It's a tribute to the University of Missouri."

Watch the full interview with Andy Reid below.