Even though Justin Simmons will be playing for the visiting Falcons in Denver on Sunday, Garett Bolles is the Bronco with the longest tenure after the celebrated safety was released in March. That designation could soon be transferred to another player due to a lack of meaningful extension negotiations.
Although during the 2020 campaign. In November 2020, during his only All-Pro season, the eighth-year left tackle did accept his current agreement; however, a lot has changed with the Broncos since then.
John Elway, the general manager who selected Bolles, is no longer in charge, and Sean Payton’s arrival in 2023 has reduced the authority of the next head coach, George Paton. All of this points to a black future for Bolles in Colorado.
Quinn Meinerz, Patrick Surtain, and Jonathan Cooper are the three 2021 draft picks who the Broncos have agreed to extensions with this season. However, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com, Bolles is anticipated to finish out his second deal this season. Denver decided not to trade Bolles prior to his contract
year and would still have the only opportunity to negotiate with their longtime LT in the weeks leading up to the legal tampering period; if Bolles ends the season without a contract, a split would become more likely.
Despite being a 2017 draft pick, Bolles is 32, which could have some impact on his value. Nevertheless, the Utah alumnus hopes to continue playing for a few more seasons. Since before 2024, he has been looking for a Broncos extension. By hitting Year 8, Bolles surpassed Ryan Clady, who missed the entire 2015 season, as the Broncos left tackle with the longest tenure this season.
After dealing Clady to the Jets in 2016, Denver utilized Russell Okung as a stopgap. However, in 2017, Bolles was selected 20th overall. Due to Bolles’ propensity for holding, the investment produced some rough seas early on, but he has since steadied into a reliable option at the top O-line position.
Bolles has returned to play in all 27 Broncos games after his 2022 season ended five games early due to a fractured leg. Bolles is now ranked 14th among all tackles this season, having been ranked 19th in 2023 by Pro Football Focus. He ranks 14th in pass pro and sixth on the ground, ranking among the top 15 players in ESPN’s pass block and run block victory rates.
