Chiefs position review: Linebackers
Nick Bolton anchors a solid position group
[Editor’s note: KC Sports Network writers Herbie Teope and Tyler Brown look at the Chiefs’ position groups on both sides of the ball with a series of articles ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.]
The Chiefs’ defense finished eighth against the run in 2024, and arguably a lot of credit goes to the team’s stout linebacker corps.
Nick Bolton anchors a stellar unit alongside Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill within the team’s 4-3 base.
And if there’s one word to describe the trio, it would be production.
Bolton led the Chiefs with a team-high 106 takedowns (73 solo) and 11 tackles for a loss. Tranquill finished second with 94 tackles (54 solo) and Chenal tallied the sixth-most tackles with 60 (40 solo).
Of the trio, Bolton logged the most defensive snaps with 941, a figure also ranked as the fourth-most on the Chiefs’ defense, while Tranquill logged 798 snaps and Chenal totaled 445.
Chenal also contributed to special teams, where he totaled 294 snaps (68.2%) for the third-most on the team.
Jack Cochrane paced the linebacker corps last season on special teams with 297 snaps, which were the second-most behind safety Jaden Hicks (307). Cam Jones and Cole Christiansen provided linebacker depth while contributing on special teams. Jones totaled the fourth-most snaps on special teams with 284.
OUTLOOK
There isn’t much to tinker with when it comes to Bolton and Tranquill, both of whom are the top producers within the linebacker unit.
The Chiefs made sure the position group would have stability by taking care of Bolton with a three-year contract before the start of free agency. Bolton’s value to the defense goes beyond his statistics when considering defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo often praises Bolton’s leadership and ability to communicate alignments to teammates.
The Chiefs addressed Tranquill in 2024 with a three-year deal, which puts him under contract through the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, Chenal enters the final year of his rookie contract, and the Chiefs will have a decision to make on his future. Chenal has done his part to prove his worth, appearing in 51 games with 32 starts over the past three seasons.
As for the rest of last season’s contributors, Cochran, Jones and Christensen return to bolster defensive depth while ensuring special teams won’t suffer. Blake Lynch, who joined the Chiefs practice squad late in the regular season, is also back.
The Chiefs signed veteran Shaun Bradley to a reserve/future deal in early January, giving the team eight linebackers on the offseason roster.
The overall group currently has depth and proven contributors, signaling linebackers shouldn’t be viewed as a need ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
While it would make sense to add another player, the Chiefs have the luxury of waiting for either the middle or late rounds if they choose.