The Denver Broncos have secured left tackle Garett Bolles with a four-year contract extension on Thursday, ensuring crucial protection for rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Bolles, who was drafted by the Broncos in 2017 with the 20th overall pick from Utah, has the chance to help the team reach the playoffs for the first time since their Super Bowl 50 victory in the 2015 season.
Currently holding the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC with an 8-5 record, the Broncos can improve their position with a win against the Indianapolis Colts (6-7) on Sunday.
Although Bolles had a shaky start in Denver, he has developed into a dependable pass protector. This season, he has allowed only one sack and 24 quarterback pressures in 13 starts. His 4.9% quarterback pressure rate ranks as the second-lowest among tackles with at least 200 pass-blocking snaps, according to NextGen Stats.
Thanks to solid protection from Bolles, Nix leads all rookie quarterbacks with 277 completions, 2,842 passing yards, 22 total offensive touchdowns, and 17 passing touchdowns.
Bolles earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors in 2020, and shared a message on social media, saying, “Broncos Country, It’s been a great 8 years! Thanks for everything! And … I’m not leaving. The show goes on!”
Since 2017, Bolles has allowed the sixth-fewest sacks (36) among tackles with at least 3,100 snaps.
With this extension, all five of the Broncos’ starting offensive linemen are signed through next season. Guard Quinn Meinerz also signed a four-year extension in July.
In addition to Bolles, the Broncos secured cornerback Patrick Surtain II with a four-year, $96 million deal in September, including $77.5 million in guarantees. Linebacker Jonathon Cooper also signed a four-year, $60 million extension in November.
