Mile High Report
The Broncos lock up their long-time left tackle for another four years.
According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the Denver Broncos have signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year, $82 million dollar extension that’s worth up to $86 million dollars and includes $42 million dollars in guaranteed money.
The Broncos' former first-round pick and longtime left tackle was a few months away from hitting the free agent market and being one of the top offensive players available. Well, the Broncos made sure he never hit the market and locked up their franchise left tackle for another four seasons.
Bolles has had some issues throughout his career with holds, but he has cleaned that up recently and has been playing left tackle at a high level for the Broncos. He is quarterback Bo Nix’s blindside blocker and has been a big reason why the ascending rookie has been kept clean so far this season. This deal will also keep the Broncos' offensive line intact for a third straight season outside of center Lloyd Cushenberrt who left via free agency this past offseason.
Since Sean Payton joined the Broncos, the team has spent a good bit of money on their offensive line. They signed right tackle Mike McGlinchey and left guard Ben Powers to big-money free-agent deals and signed guard Quinn Meinerz to a long-term extension. Now, they have locked up Bolles to his own long-term extension.
With the left tackle position settled, the Broncos can now focus on surrounding Nix with weapons this offseason. They have needs at running back, tight end, and wide receiver and now can spend money and/or premium draft picks on these positions this offseason. The Broncos hitting on the Bo Nix draft pick allows them to load up on weapons while he remains on a rookie contract and I expect them to do that this offseason.
The Broncos are in the midst of a postseason push and have one of the biggest games they have played since Super Bowl 50 this upcoming Sunday vs. the Colts. So, the focus is on that, but I am excited to see the moves they will make this offseason to improve the offense moving forward.
