When the Denver Broncos used the 20th overall pick in the 2017 draft on Utah offensive tackle Garett Bolles, they were betting on raw athleticism, violent hands, and an edge that edge rushers hated. He stepped onto the field immediately as a Week 1 starter, becoming just the sixth rookie in franchise history to open the year at left tackle.

Bolles’ early development was a trial by fire, marred by holding penalties and inconsistent technique that drew heavy criticism from fanbases and media alike. Rather than folding, Bolles locked in, refined his footwork, and put together a massive breakout in 2020. Allowing just a single sack all year, he captured Second-Team All-Pro honors and established himself as one of the elite pass protectors in the NFL.

That turnaround became the standard, not a fluke. Over the following years, Bolles matured into the ultimate locker-room leader and the longest-tenured offensive pillar on the roster. When rookie quarterback Bo Nix arrived in 2024, Bolles served as his primary bodyguard, putting together a near-flawless season that earned him a four-year, $82 million contract extension to keep him in Denver through 2028.

He built further on that standard during the 2025 campaign, leading all NFL offensive tackles in pass-blocking grade and earning a First-Team All-Pro selection alongside his first career Pro Bowl nod. He anchored an offensive line that pushed Denver all the way to the AFC Championship Game, while also earning national respect off the field as the 2026 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award winner. Entering his 10th NFL season in 2026, Bolles sits firmly as the veteran leader of Mile High's front five.