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ENGLEWOOD, Colorado – One of the Broncos’ best offensive players will stay in Denver for 2021 and beyond.
The Broncos have signed tackle Garett Bolles for a four-year contract extension until 2024, the team announced on Saturday.
Bolles was due to become an unrestricted free agent after the 2020 season.
The former first-round draft pick started all 58 games at left tackle since the Broncos selected him with the 20th overall pick in 2017. After struggling with penalties earlier in his career, Bolles has been at the limit of dominance while protecting the blind side of Drew Lock in 2020.
Bolles is Pro Football Focus’s highest ranked tackle in 2020 and he hasn’t cleared a sack this season according to the analytics-based site.
Earlier this week, Bolles said he hoped to stay in Denver for years to come.
“I have had difficult years here and my goal is just to be a consistent player who [President of Football Operations/General Manager] Sir. [John] Elway and this organization can count on for many years to come, “Bolles said Nov. 24.” I want to be here for a long time – I love the city, I love this fan base, my teammates, I love everything to do with [it] here, and I just wanna win. “
Head coach Vic Fangio credited Bolles’ persistence for his impressive turnaround in his fourth season in the league.
“He’s had a great offseason,” Fangio said this week. “He stuck to it, he didn’t let the outside noise, which was sometimes appropriate, stop his determination to keep improving. I think he was ultimately rewarded for that approach. I knew that. It would take him time, it took him time and merit. [Offensive Line Coach] Mike [Munchak] and ‘Kupe’ [Assistant OL Coach Chris Kuper] for bringing it. I have always loved Garett. He and I talk a lot, and I’m happy for him. “
Bolles, a 28-year-old, took a roundabout route to the NFL, playing two seasons at college before spending a single season at the University of Utah. He won 12 first-team All-Pac honors in his lone season with the Utes before declaring himself for the 2017 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-5, 299-pound player got the starting position as a rookie and was named to Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie squad.
In 2020, Bolles could earn his first Pro Bowl nod, but he has said he is not focusing on individual achievements.
“It’s always nice to get that praise and things like that, but at the same time, I’m not really worried about it,” Bolles said this week. “I just worry about playing good football on Sunday and helping this team win games.”
The Broncos’ offensive line could now offer great continuity in 2021. Dalton Risner, Lloyd Cushenberry III and Graham Glasgow are all under contract until at least 2022 and take on Ja’Wuan James – who stepped down in 2020 – also remains under contract.
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