Chiefs HC Andy Reid impressed with LB Nick Bolton’s rookie minicamp performance

The Kansas City Chiefs wrapped their three-day rookie minicamp on Sunday.

Over the course of the weekend, the players built a foundation for their time in Kansas City. Despite some changes to the format of rookie minicamp this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of rookies got a chance to leave their first professional impressions on the coaching staff.

Andy Reid came away impressed with what he saw from the Chiefs’ top draft choice, Missouri LB Nick Bolton. He praised him for his toughness, intelligence and instincts. He specifically noted one play that came in red-zone drills at the end of practice today.

“He had a nice interception today actually right in the red zone,” Reid said of Bolton. “He’s Tiger-tough. He’s out there battling. You have to love it. He’s got great instincts. He’s very intelligent. Did a nice job.”

With Bolton making plays in practice, it seems that he accomplished what he set out to do at the onset of minicamp. The goals that he set out for himself were to master his playbook and get better each and every day.

“Right now, I’m just trying to learn the playbook,” Bolton said on Friday. “I don’t really have a position; I’m just trying to learn as much as I can throughout the next three days and OTAs. I really don’t have a position; I’m just trying to come in every single day trying to compete and get better. Just trying to expand my knowledge of the playbook.”

There’s only so much that Coach Reid can take away from Bolton’s performance when he’s not playing in pads and hitting, but so far he’s leaving the right impression on his head coach. The type of impression that makes you excited for what’s to come in the not-so-distant future.

“Now, we’re in shorts, and he’s a linebacker,” Reid continued. “I know he probably can’t wait until we start hitting and that, but for the drills here, he sure did a nice job.”

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