The Denver Broncos, after a string of losing seasons, finally seem to be getting back on track. It would be disappointing if the team couldn’t keep moving forward without their long-time left tackle, Garett Bolles.
However, the NFL is a business, and money usually plays a big role in decisions. Left tackle is one of the most important positions in football, so Bolles will be in high demand when free agency starts this offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Scouting Department has created an early list of the top 50 players set to become free agents next year, and Bolles ranks 16th. Ronnie Stanley from the Baltimore Ravens is the only offensive tackle ranked higher. Bleacher Report suggests that the Chicago Bears and the New England Patriots — two teams expected to have a lot of cap space — could try to sign the former first-round pick.
The Broncos would love to keep Bolles, but it won’t be easy. Teams like the Bears and Patriots will likely offer him more money than Denver can. Bolles would need to take a “hometown discount” if he wants to stay with the Broncos.
At 33 years old in 2025, Bolles still has a few good years of football left in him. Since being drafted in the first round in 2017, he has started over 100 games for the Broncos and has been one of the team’s most reliable players.
Finding a high-quality left tackle like Bolles is rare, and the Bears and Patriots both make sense as potential destinations for him. Both teams are focused on building strong protection for their young quarterbacks. But the Broncos are also trying to do the same with Bo Nix, and there isn’t a clear replacement for Bolles on the roster right now.
This could be the biggest question for the Broncos this offseason: How do they keep Bolles on the team?
Bolles seems to enjoy playing in Denver, and with the team looking better, he might even have a chance to play in his first playoff game this year. He might not want to leave that behind. The Broncos need to do whatever they can to try to keep him.
