Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton spoke with reporters via Zoom on Tuesday, discussing expectations for the defense and recent veteran free-agent signings this offseason."Kind of the same as it's always been, you scrap the year before (and) you come here, and you lay the groundwork with the guys that you have in the building. Obviously, in years prior, we were able to build off – scheme-wise with the players we have in the building. It's a little bit different this year with the guys lost in the offseason," said Bolton, "We have to start from the bottom, build the groundwork, the foundation, find things that everybody in this defense plays well (and)does well.
Coach Spags (Steve Spagnuolo) does a great job with that, along with bringing in great competition throughout the camps and OTAs. It's the same as it's always been, start from ground one with the end goal in mind of competing for a Super Bowl."Bolton, a leader on the defense, shared his thoughts on the offseason signings of Alohi Gilman and Khyiris Tonga."Super big for us. (Alohi) Gilman, especially in the back end, I think he's going to be good for us. Being a vocal guy, getting guys orchestrated in the back end.
He's played a lot of football (and) played in different schemes. Even last year, being able to go and play in Baltimore halfway throughout the season, I think that was super huge in terms of seeing his communication." said Bolton, "KT (Khyiris Tonga), another one of those guys you can tell is an intellectual, knows what he's talking about, knows ball (and) has been around different schemes -- big up front. Again, I love all the big guys we can get, but he's going to be a great guy, a good person to be around for sure."Kansas City signed Tonga to a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed after spending last season with the AFC Champion New England Patriots. Gilman signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal with $15 million guaranteed after splitting time in 2025 with the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens.This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs LB Nick Bolton discusses expectations with free agent signings