Offensive tackle Garett Bolles has been one of the most consistent pieces of the post-Manning Broncos. Selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, the Utah product has reliably shored up the left tackle position for the past eight seasons, earning Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2020 and making a name for himself despite a constantly rotating set of quarterbacks. Now entering the final year of a four-year, $68 million deal, the 32-year-old offensive tackle recently spoke about his playing future and said he’s nowhere close to the end.
“I pride myself on that I feel like I’m in good health,” Garett Bolles said (via 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.”
Garett Bolles mentioned a desire to stick in Denver, but the Broncos are in the midst of a rebuild and already invested in several high-priced players along the offensive line. If the Broncos can’t justify another major deal for an aging offensive lineman, then he could land with a team like the New Orleans Saints or Carolina Panthers.
Saints, Panthers Could Target Garett Bolles As A Free Agent
The New Orleans Saints offensive line performed admirably in the Week 1 blowout win over the Carolina Panthers, but is this sustainable? The Panthers have the worst defensive line in football, so the complete lack of pressure on Derek Carr might say more about Carolina than New Orleans. 2024 first-round pick Taliese Fuaga could very well be the real deal, but chances are right tackle Trevor Penning didn’t magically learn how to play the game of football. Seeing as Carr will probably be back for at least the 2025 season, New Orleans should fortify the offensive line with someone like Garett Bolles.
Week 1 showed that Derek Carr can be an efficient quarterback when protection holds up. However, the past 10 years of his career show that he’s one of the worst in the league when the pocket collapses. Given the uncertain nature of Ryan Ramczyk’s injury and that he has no guaranteed money on his contract for the 2025 season, it’s safe to assume he won’t in the picture next year. Garett Bolles could go a long way in shoring up the Saints offensive line while making life as easy as possible for Carr.
Securing The Line For the Next Guy
Bryce Young had a disastrous rookie season, and Week 1’s action suggests his supporting cast wasn’t the only reason for the poor performance. Despite adding Robert Hunt, Damien Lewis, Diontae Johnson, and first-round pick Xavier Legette, Young still looked like the worst quarterback in football. Barring a drastic improvement, the Panthers will look for a new quarterback next year, and if they want that guy to succeed, they should add Garett Bolles to replace Ikem Ekwonu.
The 2022 first-round pick showed promise as a rookie with moments of impressive play. However, he hasn’t built on that performance and continues to be the weak link on an otherwise adequate offensive line. If he continues his decline, the Panthers could sign Garett Bolles to protect whichever quarterback they select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing – USA Today Sports
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