DENVER — The Denver Broncos signed left tackle Garrett Bolles to a four-year contract extension on Thursday, locking in a key player to protect rookie quarterback Bo Nix.
Boles has spent his entire career with the team after being drafted 20th overall out of Utah in 2017. This season he has a chance to help the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season.
The Broncos (8-5) currently sit in seventh place in the AFC and the final playoff spot. With a win over the Colts, they can put some distance between themselves and Indianapolis on Sunday (6-7).
After an up-and-down start in Denver, Boles has developed into a solid pass protector. He has one sack and 24 quarterback pressures in 13 starts this season. What’s more, his quarterback pressure rate of 4.9 percent was the second-lowest among tackles with at least 200 pass interceptions this season, according to NextGen Stats.
Over time, Nix leads all rookies in completions (277), passing yards (2,842), offensive touchdowns (22) and passing touchdowns (17).
Boles earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2020 season. Bolles posted on social media: “It’s been a great eight years, Broncos! Thank you for everything! And… I’m not leaving. The show goes on!”
Since 2017, Bolles ranks sixth in sacks (36) and has at least 3,100 snaps.
Boles’ extension means the Broncos will have all five starting offensive linemen next season. Guard Quinn Meinerz agreed to a four-year contract extension in July.
The Broncos also signed cornerback Patrick Sultan II In September, he signed a four-year contract extension worth $96 million, including $77.5 million in guarantees. Last November, guard Jonathan Cooper agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $60 million.
