Linebacker Nick Bolton and right guard Trey Smith are two of the most prominent free agents on the Kansas City Chiefs. And as much as the team has said again and again how much they'd love to re-sign both players, the scenario is such that Bolton and Smith are likely both headed to the open market—at the very least to see how much money they can command when free agent bidding begins.
The Chiefs certainly aren't excited to potentially lose the production and leadership of both Bolton and Smith, each of whom have turned into important contributors in their first four seasons on the team. However, because of the nature of their respective roles, both are also likely to earn a lot more away from the Chiefs.
Albert Breer thinks both Trey Smith and Nick Bolton will make it to free agency once the new league year begins.
According to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, he projects both players will make it to the open market unless they're willing to take less money to stay with the team that drafted them. He writes, "In the end, as I see it, that leaves Kansas City with little choice but to negotiate in good faith with those guys, knowing there’s little stopping them from getting to the market, and knowing that those guys’ best move probably is to go to the market."
Kansas City is already facing some tough financial decisions this offseason, and it's going to be tough to keep Smith, who is ready to set a new market high for guards. The Chiefs are already committed to big-money deals to both Joe Thuney and Creed Humphrey along the offensive interior. Jawaan Taylor makes $20M in AAV as the team's right tackle as well.
As for Bolton, his skill set as a linebacker is valuable, to be sure, but he's not a three-down performer with a well-rounded game who should command top dollar. His coverage concerns and limited athleticism are on-field issues, but that's balanced by his intangibles that are so appreciated by Steve Spagnuolo. That said, some other team is going to reward his championship experience and ability to affect the backfield so well and those instincts are likely to be outpriced for K.C.
