ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Garett Bolles was being his friendly self as he walked up to the press podium.
He is starting his 8th consecutive season as the Broncos’ starting left tackle.
“Another day, another dollar,’’ Bolles said in his deep baritone as he addressed the media following the official training camp opening practice before a fan-filled berm gathering at Broncos Park.
Since he brought it up.
Bolles, who as a first-round pick in the 2017 draft has become the Broncos’ longest-tenured player, is entering this season in a precarious contract situation. He has one more year at $16 million – not one dollar of which is guaranteed – left on his second contract with the team.
Yet, unlike so many other players of his stature, Bolles did not skip the team’s voluntary offseason program in April, May and June, which meant participating at no small amount of risk. And he is here participating for the start of training camp.
It’s a team-friendly strategy that makes Bolles unique in this $12.9 billion NFL industry where players are benton getting their share.
“This team counts on me so any time we have voluntary or team meetings or whatever it is, I want to be the first one there,” Bolles said. “I love this city, I love this organization. I want to play my whole career here. The front office knows that. They know I want to be a Bronco for life.
“My family’s here, established here. We love it here. We don’t want to go anywhere else. My job is just to play good football. The ball is in their court. I just got to do my job and the rest will take care of itself.”
Speaking of his family, Bolles’ is about to grow. He and his wife Natalie are expecting their third child any day now, a daughter.
“Like I said, my family grew up here, I’ve became a man here, I love it here,’’ Bolles said. “My family’s just going to continue to grow here and hopefully I can stay here as long as I can.”
Bolles is considered one of the top two or three pass blockers among NFL left tackles – one of the four most important positions in the game (behind only quarterback and alongside pass rusher and cornerback).
He’s also been steadily improving as a run blocker now that he has an offensive line coach (Zach Strief), a left guard (Ben Powers), and an offensive play-calling head coach (Sean Payton) for a second consecutive season.
“I’m going to have one of my best seasons ever,'' Bolles said.
Although he is on the other side of 30, Bolles’ troubled youth is turning into an advantage. He didn’t play much football in high school or college, comparatively speaking.
“My body’s fresh. I feel like I’m 25,’’ Bolles said. “Maybe even 22. Sometimes even a little bit younger. But I feel great. My body feels great, my mind feels great. I’m humbled to get better every single year. …
“I’m the strongest and fastest I’ve ever been.”
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After a rough beginning to his NFL career as he learned how to block the likes of Khalil Mack without getting a holding call, Bolles has settled in nicely. He became a second-team All Pro in 2020, the same season he received a four-year, $68 million contract extension he’s about to play out.
Only problem – and it’s a big one – the Broncos have never finished with a winning record in Bolles’ first seven seasons.
Perhaps, the winning charm will come in year 8.
“We’re going in the right direction,’’ Bolles said. “I don’t think there’s anyone else in this building that wants to win here more than me. Just because I’ve been here the longest.
“I’ve seen the history we have and the legends we have in this organization. I feel like it’s my job to continue to build that and continue to create this team that we need to go forth.”
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