After totaling 43 tackles and seven TFLs during the month of October, rookie linebacker
Nick Bolton was named Defensive Rookie of the Month. He is the first Chief to earn this
honor since Marcus Peters in December of 2015.
By Jack Johnson, Sports Radio 810
In eight games, Bolton is tied for fourth in TFLs (9) and is 12th in tackles (66). However,
he leads all rookies in both of those categories as well as solo (43) and additional
tackles (23).
“It’s extremely difficult. You don’t see too many rookie middle linebackers tasked with
that duty, so to see Spags put his trust in him — obviously, the kid is a good football
player,” Tyrann Mathieu said. “He has a bright mind too.”
His teammate playing next to him on the field, Willie Gay Jr., had even higher praise of
Bolton.
“This time last year, when I was a rookie, I couldn’t even do half of what he is doing,”
Gay Jr. said. “I love playing with him and love watching him play. He is smart. He can
get us lined up and get everyone lined up. We help each other out as linebackers.”
The last Chief to win Defensive Rookie of the Year was Marcus Peters in the 2015
season.