Chiefs Player Quotes
March 20, 2025
LB NICK BOLTON
Q: Could you tell it was a priority for the Chiefs to bring you back?
BOLTON: “Oh yeah, absolutely. We had extra meetings and had conversations with (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and (Defensive Coordinator Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) and my position coach BD (Linebackers Coach Brendan Daly) as well. They wanted to get me back; I think it was a mutual interest on both parties. I’m just super super happy. I want to give a shoutout to (Chairman and CEO Clark) Hunt, Coach Reid, Coach Spags just giving me another opportunity to come out there and be with my teammates. I have some familiarity; I’ve been in Missouri going on eight years now, so it definitely feels like home, and I was happy to be here.”
Q: You had the opportunity to explore free agency, but you decided to sign with the Chiefs right away, why was that the right decision for you?
BOLTON: “Just talking with my family and my agent, it just made the most sense. Again, I kind of mentioned a little bit of the points earlier, just had familiarity, having the scheme, having players around me that I’m comfortable with and just people that believe in you. I think that’s kind of one of the big things for me. They gave me a chance coming out of college and then after that, kind of let me go into myself and be the leader that I wanted to be. So, I just kind of felt like that was the best decision for me and my family. Obviously, they had a great football team, a great chance to win, all of those things played a part and is the reason why I’m here.”
Q: You mentioned that Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has already called you since you have signed. Is he already talking about football? What are those conversations about?
BOLTON: “We don’t talk about football. (Defensive Coordinator Steve) Spags (Spagnuolo) has been real invested in my family (and) my siblings for sure. The first day he met my dad he asked my dad if he had some years left to play, so he’s kind of one of those things. Just a family person, it’s all family. Me and Spags, when we come into work man, we have the opportunity to make sure that we’re all focused in on ball and then once ball is over with, it’s more family, more outside of ball, things that make you a great human, things that make you succeed later on in life once this is all wrapped up and said and done. We have conversations all about life, all about family, asks me how I’m doing, girlfriend, siblings, family, mom (and) sister healthy, so he makes sure he checks in every single week, makes sure my mental (health) is good, my family is good, and I do the same.”
WR HOLLYWOOD BROWN
Q: What were the conversations like in the offseason as far as wanting to weigh your options in free agency versus wanting to come back to Kansas City?
BROWN: “I knew all along I wanted to be back. They voiced their opinions of wanting me back and we had some unfinished business. I know (I) had a great start to my camp and getting hurt – we all wanted to see it come together so glad we got it done.”
Q: Due to your injury, do you feel like you ever really had a chance to show the Chiefs what kind of player you really are?
BROWN: “No, I didn’t really. I mean, except (for) the people in the building, my teammates, my coaches, and you know it carried me a long way. They know the type of guy I am, the type of work I put in and essentially that’s one of the reasons I got brought back because the few games I played, I was there, and I was able to open the offense up a lot but wasn’t really involved that much. I just know that impression that I left was something that I want to show the whole Chiefs Kingdom and really show what I can do.”
Q: You said earlier that you knew all along that you wanted to come back. What led to that decision?
BROWN: “I think just their environment and the atmosphere. Everyday coming to work – it felt like for the first time in my career I was getting where I wanted to be, everyday coming to work getting better and getting better. I knew that was a place and environment that I wanted to stay in.”
T JAYLON MOORE
Q: What kind of opportunity did you see when signing with the Chiefs?
MOORE: “Obviously, probably having a chance to play some football, but outside of that, it’s a great organization, I know it’s a great team. Everything that I’ve heard from the outside, having new teammates that came from the organization, I know it’s top tier so I’m excited.”
Q: What tells you that you’re ready to be a full-time starter if that’s how this turns out?
MOORE: “In my opinion, the tape doesn’t lie. I know it’s a small sample size, but I just go out there and play ball the way I know how. I don’t know, they see something in me, so I’m excited to go balls to the wall for these guys.”
Q: How much of these last few years working under San Francisco 49ers LT Trent Williams do you think prepared you for this opportunity?
MOORE: “It was everything I could’ve imagined. You kind of sit in the film room every day and to me, I kind of set a standard for myself and with that being the standard every day, in and out. It’s kind of hard for the floor to be very low, I would say, not saying that it’s hard for anybody else to be able to do that but just being put in that position and being able to study behind him (49ers LT Trent Williams) and kind of critique my game based on what I see every single day. I mean, it made all the difference in the world.”
RB ELIJAH MITCHELL
Q: What was it about Kansas City that made this the right place for you?
MITCHELL: “Just their offense, man – really both sides of the ball. Just the organization, just hearing about it, but man they know how to win and that was my biggest thing. Even coming from San Francisco and being able to come to another winning team is just amazing and the things they do in the offense, it’s everything I did when I was in San Fran so I’m excited for it.”
Q: How challenging was last season when you weren’t able to play?
MITCHELL: “It was very challenging. Just having the love for football and not being able to step on the field and compete against the best, it really weighed on me a lot. I’m hungrier than ever, and I’m ready to roll.”
Q: On joining the Chiefs with former 49ers teammate Jaylon Moore.
MITCHELL: “Actually, that’s my boy. We came in together since day one. We clicked, but Jaylon (Moore), he brings a lot. Even though he was in front of one of the best tackles in the league, but Jaylon’s definitely a sleeper and Patrick Mahomes, he’s going to love what Jaylon brings to it (the offense). He can protect, he’s a good guy and an awesome football player, so he’s going to be good. I’m excited for him.”
CB KRISTIAN FULTON
Q: What is it that stands out to you about this defense and why was Kansas City the right choice for you?
FULTON: “I think what stands out to me, obviously, within the past few years – well, obviously being a defensive guy, I know defense wins championships even though it’s a great offense as well. Like I said, you don’t get to this level in the NFL without having a great defense, and the past few years, it’s been put on display. Obviously, being a corner, I like to watch other corners in this league and the past few years they’ve had some of the top guys in the league with their play and then their scheme, so I feel like it was a great fit for me to be put in this position – myself in this position.”
Q: What makes this Kansas City wide receiver group difficult for opponents to cover?
FULTON: “It’s a real diverse group. You know, they all have different skill sets and they all have something that stands out in their game, and they’ve made plays in this league. Obviously, you know Xavier (Worthy), he was a rookie last year and we’ve seen what he can do in this league. He can take the top off a defense; he can also run away from you on shorter routes – run across the field. Rashee Rice, he’s a pretty much do-it-all receiver (who) can take you deep or he can also run different, shorter routes in the (route) tree. They all have different skill sets, I believe so. I think you need that in a receiver room. You can’t just have – I guess it’s like a one-trick pony receiver room where you know one guy is doing a certain thing or they’re all doing a certain thing. Obviously, (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid, he does a great job of scheming defenses up and getting those guys the ball, so I think that’s what stands out. JuJu (Smith-Schuster) as well and Hollywood (Brown) as well, they’ve all had a long career in this league getting the ball different ways and making plays.”
Q: How do you capture the feeling of being here in Kansas City?
FULTON: “It’s great. Like I said, the organization – the success speaks for itself. Me being the player and my history in football, I come from successful organizations which is high school to college. I think, like you said, it always comes back full circle, and it was meant to be. Maybe it didn’t happen then but now it’s meant to be for us to work together and to build on success that we’ve already had and I’m looking forward to building on that off the field, on the field and doing my best to get us back on top of the football world.”
LS JAMES WINCHESTER
Q: What were the conversations like with the team after the season?
WINCHESTER: “Well, I spoke with my agent and obviously our goal was to come back to Kansas City. Kansas City’s home, it’s where I want to be so really there wasn’t a big desire to entertain options with other teams. I had great conversations with the team, everyone expressed that they wanted me back, but you know that’s a process so when the season ends, there’s higher priority than the long snapper on the team and I know that, so I’ve become pretty accustomed to that. So, when the season ends it’s kind of like I knew where they stood, I knew they wanted me back, but we go about our offseason plans and I knew that the closer it got to that (new) league year I would start hearing from them. Sure enough, a couple weeks out, really the combine we started talking to them and my agent had communication with the team and we were able to come up with a deal there. It was above what we had anticipated, and we were excited to have the opportunity to sign another go and another year. At my age, that’s what you hope for, right, is a one-year deal. That’s what we got accomplished.”
Q: How much longer are you thinking you want to do this?
WINCHESTER: “You know, really my answer has never changed. You just take it one year at a time and I think being where your feet are is kind of the way to go about that. Take it year-by-year – I would say, coin the term that someone used a long time ago is like ‘Icing on the Cake.’ I’ve had the opportunity to be with the team for a very long time and none of that is taken for granted, but you know we still have a job to do. You still train like you want to be the best that you can at your job every year. That’s just a year-by-year deal. I think earlier in your career, you’re more concerned with getting that big deal and signing for multiple years. For me, I’m thrilled to just be back on the team one year at a time. I think every season we evaluate as a family where we’re at, what we’re doing and this year we did the same. You see the team that you’re on, the people that I get to go to work with every day, the future Hall of Famers and then so many great guys on the team and in this organization and you just go, ‘There’s nowhere else that I would rather be.’ There’s so many who would love to play for an organization like Kansas City and to be able to do that for another year, it was a no-brainer that yes, we wanted to go another season.”
Q: How important are Head Coach Andy Reid and Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator Dave Toub to your career?
WINCHESTER: “Extremely special. I think the turnover in the NFL is quite high, right? So, the longer you play, you realize players, coaches (and) staff, there’s just a big turnover. I feel like in Kansas City, I’ve been fortunate to be with those guys from the top down. Our head coach hasn’t changed and then you run through one of the best coordinators to ever do it in (Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams Coordinator) Dave Toub and getting to play for that guy, it doesn’t get any better than that. We really kept a lot of our core coaches and they’ve been around the entire time I’ve been in Kansas City, so (it’s) extremely special. (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid is out of this world when it comes to leadership and just being able to be in the team room with that man and be around him and get to know him not only as a coach but as a person has been extremely special. You guys (the media) get to have pressers with him all the time. His personality is like no other and there’s really just no one quite like him. It’s extremely special to get to be around him and same thing as Dave Toub. Like I said, one of the best coordinators (and) special teams coordinators to ever do it in NFL history so to be able to call that guy my coach and spend as much time with him, I’m very grateful for that, honestly. Same thing with our core special teamers. Having played eight seasons with Harrison Butker, that’s awesome. (He’s) such a great guy and a pro at what he does and (I’m) fortunate to get to be around him as long as I have.”
RB KAREEM HUNT
Q: Can you tell me what the conversations were like with the Chiefs here this offseason and getting to bring you back?
HUNT: “It was good, man. (It was) definitely good to talk with (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and I want to thank (General Manager Brett) Veach and (Chairman & CEO) Clark Hunt for them giving me the opportunity to come back to get another shot.”
Q: How much are you looking forward to being with the team and getting to participate in training camp this year?
HUNT: “I’m very excited because I feel like that’s going to help me in the long run. To be able to prepare my body for the long run and a long season and grind and not have to start from behind pretty much.”
Q: Was your return to Kansas City and the Chiefs what you had hoped for?
HUNT: “I mean, yeah, definitely. I love playing for the Chiefs and the culture is just great there. It didn’t end the way we wanted it to but look, we have a lot of work to do, and I feel like we have another good shot at it.”
DT JERRY TILLERY
Q: You’ve played against the Chiefs a number of times over the years. What were your thoughts about what the Chiefs were doing over the years?
TILLERY: “Well, of course – like you said, I’ve played against the Chiefs six years of my career now. Four (years) in L.A. and then two in Las Vegas like I’ve been to Kansas City a couple of times now. So, I’ve been watching this team closely my whole career. Obviously, they have – I guess we now have been on top of the AFC West for a long time and my job here is to continue that dominance.”
Q: What intrigued you most about the opportunity to join the Chiefs?
TILLERY: “There was a lot on the table, but the Kansas City Chiefs have a lot to offer. In terms of consistency, winning culture and style of play and these were things I emulate in my game, so it felt like a perfect fit.”
Q: How well do you know Chris Jones? How big of a role was playing alongside him a part of coming to Kansas City and making it attractive?
TILLERY: “Chris Jones is an incredible player and someone who I am excited to play with. I’ve watched him over the years as well as somebody at the top of our game who’s doing it the best. To watch this guy work and to be with him, I think that type of player is somebody who can raise everybody’s level. Chris Jones is a great guy so I’m excited to get to know him better and even more excited to play with him.”
QB GARDNER MINSHEW
Q: What do you want to get out of your time with the Chiefs?
MINSHEW: “Super fired up to be part of just a winning organization (and a) winning culture. I feel like I have so much to learn from how (Head) Coach (Andy) Reid and everybody operates, how Pat (Patrick Mahomes) operates. I’m just looking forward to helping in any way I can. If there’s any way I can help this team, whether it’s from the scout team, whether it’s helping Pat in meetings, whether it's just bringing a good energy to practice. I look forward to just doing whatever I can to contribute and help this team win.”
Q: How do you view the role of the backup quarterback? How do you think you help Patrick Mahomes?
MINSHEW: “Man, that’s a great question. Being a starting quarterback in the NFL is a hard deal. Especially with all the expectations with everything that gets put on, especially, a guy like that. Sometimes it’s having a safe place in the quarterback room where you can come and let off some steam or just have a good laugh. That little stuff is very important getting through weeks (and) getting through years, but I don’t know, man. I look forward to just working with him (Patrick Mahomes), helping in any way I can, whether it’s on the practice field (or) in the meeting room. (When) getting ready for game days, if there’s film preparation I can help with or even, like I said, providing a good laugh here or there. I just couldn’t be more grateful for the role and (I) just want to help in any way I really can.”
Q: You’ve played in some similar offenses to Head Coach Andy Reid’s offense in the past. How do you feel like that transition going to be? How do you feel like your game fits into his style?