Denver Broncos offensive tackle Garett Bolles, a stalwart of the team since his selection in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, is heading into the final year of his current contract. Despite being 32 years old, Bolles is feeling confident about his future in the league.
“I pride myself on that I feel like I’m in good health,” Bolles said in a recent interview with Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “I feel like my mind and body feel great. I feel young for what everybody wants to say my age is. I feel like I can play for a lot more years.”
While Bolles expressed a desire to remain with the Broncos, the team’s financial constraints and ongoing roster rebuild may necessitate a departure. Speculation has arisen that teams like the New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers could target Bolles in free agency.
The Saints, despite a strong offensive line performance in Week 1, may need to bolster their protection for quarterback Derek Carr moving forward. Bolles could provide stability and experience to a unit that showed vulnerabilities against the Panthers’ lackluster pass rush.
As for the Panthers, who struggled with quarterback play in their season opener, adding Bolles could help solidify their offensive line and protect their signal-caller. With young talents like Taliese Fuaga and Xavier Legette on the roster, the addition of a seasoned veteran like Bolles could pay dividends in the long run.
While Bolles has been a consistent presence on the Broncos’ offensive line for years, his future remains uncertain as he enters a contract year. As teams like the Saints and Panthers eye potential upgrades to their front lines, Bolles could be a valuable target on the free-agent market.
With the 2025 NFL Draft looming, both teams may look to shore up their protection for their quarterbacks, making Bolles an intriguing option for those in need of experienced talent. Only time will tell where Bolles will end up, but his contributions to the Broncos have not gone unnoticed.
As the season progresses, keep an eye on Bolles and potential suitors like the Saints and Panthers. The veteran tackle’s future in the NFL may be in flux, but his impact on any team he lands with could be significant.