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Chiefs' Nick Bolton Breaks Franchise Record Held by Derrick Johnson
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- Chiefs' Nick Bolton Breaks Franchise Record Held by Derrick Johnson
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The Kansas City Chiefs have a new franchise record holder, and he is only in his sixth NFL season.
Linebacker Nick Bolton recorded 11 tackles in Sunday's 22-6 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, giving him 26 career games with at least 10 tackles.
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That broke a tie with former Chiefs great Derrick Johnson, who had 25 such games during his 13 seasons in Kansas City.
The Chiefs confirmed the milestone Monday in their official review of Sunday's victory .
Bolton, a second-round draft pick out of Missouri in 2021, had been on the verge of breaking the record for nearly a month.
He tied Johnson with 13 tackles against Indianapolis on Sept. 20. Bolton added 11 against Miami the following week but finished with nine against Las Vegas on Oct. 4.
Bolton finally moved into first place against the Chargers, helping Kansas City improve to 5-0.
Speaking with KSHB 41 on Monday, Bolton described joining the franchise's greatest linebackers as a special moment.
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The achievement carries additional significance because Johnson was inducted into the Chiefs' Ring of Honor on Sept. 20, the same day Bolton tied his record.
Johnson, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, remains Kansas City's all-time leading tackler. He played for the Chiefs from 2005 through 2017 before finishing his career with the Oakland Raiders in 2018.
Bolton has become one of Kansas City's most dependable defensive players since entering the league.
He ranked eighth among the NFL's top off-ball linebackers in an ESPN survey of league executives, coaches and scouts earlier this year, earning recognition among the league's best at his position .
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Fellow linebacker Drue Tranquill praised Bolton's leadership and the trust he has earned from defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
"He's a beast," Tranquill told KSHB.
Bolton's milestone came during another strong defensive performance by Kansas City.
The Chiefs held the Chargers without a touchdown, limiting them to two field goals in a victory that wasn't always pretty .
Kansas City's defense also recorded four sacks of Justin Herbert, ending a three-game drought without a sack and showing renewed strength along the defensive line .
At 26 years old, Bolton has plenty of opportunities to extend his new franchise record.
The unbeaten Chiefs will visit the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night.
