ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The longest-tenured player on the Broncos' roster is here to stay.
Tackle Garett Bolles — who is currently playing his eighth season in Denver — signed a four-year contract extension on Thursday and is now poised to remain on the team through 2028.
And for the blind-side protector who has spent his entire career in Denver after being drafted 20th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft, there is no place he would rather be.
"This is a dream come true," Bolles said Thursday. "I grew up in this city. I became a man in this city as a football player, as a husband. And [to] get to be here long term with my family, it means the world to me. I'm just so grateful for the [Walton-Penner Family Ownership Group] — and what an amazing ownership group we have."
Bolles — who has prided himself on his availability throughout his career — has started all 112 games in which he has appeared in Denver. He has seen individual success throughout his career as a Bronco, highlighted by earning second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2020 season.
Defensive Coordinator Vance Joseph — who was the Broncos' head coach when they drafted Bolles back in 2017 — said that he has seen him "improve as a player every single year," and this progress has been on full display in 2024. Bolles has allowed just one sack and 24 quarterback pressures across 476 pass-blocking snaps this season, and his 4.9 quarterback pressure percentage and 0.2 sack percentage are the second-best marks among tackles with at least 200 pass-blocking snaps this season.
More important to Bolles, though, is the team success that the Broncos have experienced in 2024. If Denver were to earn a playoff berth this year, it would mark Bolles' first trip to the postseason in his NFL career. And while his individual improvement and the accompanying accolades have certainly been rewarding, Bolles noted that the upward trajectory of the team this season has been even more meaningful.
"It means the world," Bolles said of being part of Denver's success. "All I wanted to do was win here, and win at the highest level, and play in the biggest games in the biggest moments with the biggest stars and the brightest lights. ... Just the culture that we have here for so many years now, it's awesome to be where we're at. It's not over, it's not done [and] we still have a lot of work to do. But, we're putting people in the right positions to be successful."
Denver's offensive line consists of several individuals who Bolles believes are in those positions and have contributed to the Broncos' success this season. Bolles described the group as "the closest group of dudes I've ever been around," and Offensive Coordinator Joe Lombardi stressed the importance of the consistency the unit is beginning to experience as they play together for the second consecutive season under the same system.
"I think he's played [really] well this year," Lombardi said of Bolles. "[He had a] good year last year, but I think he's really stepped it up. ... The continuity of those guys working together is important. And how they combo blocks and pick up protections — working with that guy next to you is huge, so I think any time you keep those guys together, it's a big deal. So, we're excited."
Bolles — who noted that he spends a lot of time focusing on recovery and taking care of his body to stay healthy and prepared for each matchup — said he believes he is playing his best football this season and looks forward to even more improvement in a place that means so much to him.
"It's exciting for him," Joseph said. "Obviously, he loves being a Bronco. He was drafted here. … He's improved as a player every single year, but he's a great person. He loves his teammates, loves the Broncos, loves this season. So, it's rewarding for this kid to finish here, and it's fun for us all to see it."
As Bolles now looks ahead to his future years in Denver, he continues to reflect on the journey that brought him to this moment.
"It wasn't easy," Bolles said. "I didn't start off the way I wanted to start off here, but I get to finish how I want to finish. And just [to] get to be a Bronco for life, I'm just very grateful."
