Kansas City Chiefs LB Nick Bolton is a finalist for an award recognizing the best linebacker in the NFL.
The Dick Butkus Award is mostly known at the collegiate level, but they have high school and professional awards handed out annually too. On Wednesday, Bolton was named one of six finalists for the 2022 Professional Dick Butkus Award. The five other finalists include Eagles LB T.J. Edwards, Rams LB Bobby Wagner, 49ers LB Fred Warner, and both Jets LB C.J. Mosley and Ravens LB Roquan Smith, who were collegiate recipients of the Butkus Award.
Bolton’s nomination comes following his record-setting 2022 regular-season campaign in Kansas City, where he surpassed Derrick Johnson’s franchise record for tackles in a single season. That record stood for 11 years after Johnson set it with 179 total tackles back in 2011. Bolton started all 17 games this season, recording 180 total tackles, two interceptions and two sacks — all career-high marks.
He may have been passed over for the Pro Bowl this season, but Bolton is having a year to remember. To be recognized as a finalist for this prestigious award is just another reminder of how great he’s been during his second season with the team. Past winners of the award include Cowboys LB Micah Parsons (2021), Steelers LB T.J. Watt (2020), Cardinals LB Chandler Jones (2019), Bears LB Khalil Mack (2018) and Panthers LB Luke Kuechly (2017).
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