The Chiefs made their first major personnel move of the offseason on Tuesday, releasing veteran linebacker Anthony Hitchens. It was a move that many across NFL media predicted would happen, for a couple different reasons. Talking with 610's The Drive on Tuesday afternoon, Chiefs Insider Pete Sweeney explained exactly why the team made the decision, and what comes next.
"Much like Orlando Brown with the Franchise Tag, I think the writing was on the wall when Nick Bolton was simply drafted," Sweeney said. "Now if Nick Bolton had shown that he wasn't ready for the position, then maybe you reconsider it ... There were certainly times during the 2021 season where you, me, and a lot of other people were turning our heads and saying why the heck is Nick Bolton not on the field, and I think part of that was that the Chiefs had so much respect for what Anthony Hitchens was able to do, in turning that defense around. I think it just was time.
"Bolton really performed at a high level and pretty much won the job for 2022 as the middle linebacker this season. When you do that and you cost a lot less, this is what happens."
