Tag: Garett Bolles

Ranking the AFC West by offensive tackle duos

Who has the best offensive tackle duo in the AFC West? Here’s now they stack up.

Protection. It can mean a lot in today’s game where quarterbacks are increasingly asked to stand in the pocket and scan the field while the receivers routes develop.

Some quarterbacks can get away with less than ideal protection if they are elusive. But even the best are at their best when they don’t have to improvise or deliver the ball before their preferred target breaks open.

And, remember, tackles must be able to run block as well. That means leading their man outside on an inside run, sealing the edge for and outside run, or getting to the second level on pitches and screens.

Let’s take a look at who is best set up for success at the tackle spots.

Broncos offseason roster: No. 69, OT Mike McGlinchey

After five years with the 49ers, Mike McGlinchey has been tasked with shoring up the Broncos’ right tackle position.

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Broncos Wire’s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at sixth-year offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, No. 69.

Before the Broncos: McGlinchey (6-8, 315 pounds) played college football at Notre Dame, where he was a decorated four-year player. In 2017. McGlinchey was named a consensus All-American. Also in 2017, McGlinchey was on the Maxwell Award watchlist (given annually to the best college football player), Lombardi Award watch list in 2017 (given annually to the best college football lineman), and Outland Award watch list in 2016 and 2017 (given annually to the best interior offensive lineman). McGlinchey was drafted ninth overall in the 2018 NFL draft by the San Francisco 49ers.

McGlinchey played for five years with the Niners, starting 69 games, including six playoff games.

Broncos tenure: During the 2023 offseason, McGlinchey signed with the Broncos to the tune of a five-year deal worth $87.5 million.

Chance to make the 53-man roster: 100 percent. McGlinchey was signed by the Broncos to be a Day 1 starter in front of quarterback Russell Wilson. He will play for a new-look offensive line that includes Garett Bolles, free agent addition Ben Powers, incumbent center Lloyd Cushenberry, guard Quinn Meinerz and McGlinchey.

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Broncos LT Garett Bolles to wear new position-specific helmet in 2023

Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles will be among the first players to wear a lineman-specific helmet from VICIS during the 2023 season.

Position-specific helmets are making their way to the NFL.

In April, the NFL and NFL Players Association approved a quarterback-specific helmet made by VICIS that aims to help reduce concussions. The VICIS Zero2 Matrix QB helmet aims to reduce helmet-to-ground impacts that are often responsible for causing quarterback concussions.

VICIS has also released an offensive/defensive lineman-specific helmet, the VICIS Trench. Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles will be among the first players to wear the helmet, a VICIS representative told Broncos Wire.

The VICIS Trench was the top-rated helmet in the NFL’s laboratory testing that intends to “represent potentially concussive head impacts.”

The NFL has been attempting to make the game safer with new rules and new equipment aimed at reducing concussions, but head injuries increased by 18% last year with 149 concussions reported, up from 126 in 2021.

An alarmingly high number of former players have suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in retirement, including late former Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, who died at age 33 in 2021.

The NFL’s lab tests suggest these new position-specific helmets might be able to help reduce concussions going forward. Bolles will be among the first offensive linemen to try it.

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Broncos coach Sean Payton ‘really pleased’ with Garett Bolles

“He’s been very impressive,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said of left tackle Garett Bolles. “I’ve been really pleased.”

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Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles is recovering from a broken leg that prematurely ended his 2022 season.

The 31-year-old veteran is doing well in his recovery and he got a good report from new coach Sean Payton earlier this month.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said on June 8. “Obviously, he’s putting in the time with the rehab and the recovery. That room is completely changed. If there was one position group [that was like] that show Complete Home Makeover, that would be that position group.

“I think the relationships and all the things that go into play in that position, he’s been very impressive. Then there’s a new offense, terminology and all those things that go along with it, but I’ve been really pleased.”

After struggling through his first three seasons in the NFL, Bolles had a breakout year in 2020 and earned second-team All-Pro recognition. He started 15 games that year and did not allow any sacks.

Last year, Bolles was credited with allowing 1.5 sacks through five games before breaking his leg. Now on his way to being healthy again, Bolles will hope to return to his 2020 form under Payton in 2023.

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Broncos LT Garett Bolles sticking up for QB Russell Wilson: ‘He just wants to win’

“He just wants to win,” Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles said of quarterback Russell Wilson.

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On the field, Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles is tasked with protecting quarterback Russell Wilson.

Bolles does the same off the field.

Wilson is coming off the worst season of his career, and he’s now viewed as a meme quarterback by many NFL fans. Bolles doesn’t like that, and he expects those fans will “eat crow” during the 2023 season.

“He’s a great dude, he’s the same guy every single day, he works his butt off,” Bolles said after an OTA practice last week. “And I’m ready for that stuff to go away and when it goes, everyone’s going to eat crow.”

Bolles went on to say Wilson is one of the greatest quarterbacks of the last 10 years, and one bad season doesn’t negate that. Wilson has a growing number of critics, both for his on-field play in 2022 and his perceived off-field corniness, but Bolles believes the QB will bounce back in 2023.

“He’s not focused on [critics], he just wants to win,” Bolles said.

That’s all fans in Denver want — wins. If the quarterback helps the team get back on track this fall, criticism should subside in 2023.

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10 Broncos players returning from injuries in 2023

Getting Tim Patrick, Javonte Williams and Garett Bolles back healthy will provide a big boost to the Broncos’ offense in 2023.

The Denver Broncos will get some serious reinforcements returning in 2023 after having several key players miss time in 2022 with various injuries.

Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson is not counted among the ten players listed below, but he is also recovering from offseason knee surgery. Wilson also through hamstring and shoulder injuries in 2022, plus a concussion.

Denver will hope that Wilson will be able to stay healthy in 2023. The Broncos will also be eager to welcome back left tackle Garett Bolles, running back Javonte Williams and wide receiver Tim Patrick on offense once they have recovered.

Here’s the full list of 10 players aiming to bounce back from notable injuries this summer.

Broncos get B+ grade for signing guard Ben Powers

Touchdown Wire gave the Broncos a B+ grade for signing guard Ben Powers during NFL free agency.

The Denver Broncos addressed one of their biggest needs right away in free agency with the addition of interior offensive lineman Ben Powers.

Powers agreed to a four-year contract worth $52 million, with $28.5 million in guaranteed money, on Monday.

Powers established himself as a force in the run and pass game with the Baltimore Ravens from 2018-2022. In 2022, Powers allowed just one sack, one quarterback hit, and 11 quarterback hurries in 633 pass-blocking reps, according to Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar.

Farrar dubbed Powers “an absolute mauler,” and he gave the Broncos a B+ grade for the signing. 

It is expected that Powers will slot into the starting offensive line alongside Garett Bolles at left tackle, Lloyd Cushenberry at center, Quinn Meinerz at right guard and newly acquired tackle Mike McGlinchey at right tackle.

Provided the group stays healthy, this should be a formidable front to protect quarterback Russell Wilson, who was sacked a career-high 55 times last year. Bringing in Powers was a big win for head coach Sean Payton and general manager George Paton.

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Report: Broncos will not put Garett Bolles on trade block

The Broncos will not put Garett Bolles on the trade block, according to Denver7 News.

The Denver Broncos are not looking to move one of their top two offensive linemen this offseason.

In a since-deleted tweet, KOA Radio posted on Tuesday evening that the Broncos are “looking into shopping LT Garett Bolles,” according to a report from the station’s Benjamin Allbright.

That report was quickly rebuffed by several other reporters, including KMGH-TV’s Troy Renck. “Bolles will not be put on trade block,” Renck tweeted on Tuesday evening, citing an unnamed source.

Bolles, who will turn 31 in May, has salary cap hits of $17.8 million this year and $20 million in 2024. By today’s left tackle market standards, that’s not an unreasonable contract for Denver.

Bolles would undoubtedly have trade value, but the Broncos can only add so many new starters up front this spring. Bolles and guard Quinn Meinerz might be the team’s only two returning offensive line starters in 2023. Replacing four of the five starters would be a big task in one offseason.

Of course, things can always change in the NFL, but as of Feb. 15, Bolles is expected to remain in Denver.

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Broncos LT Garett Bolles says he is ‘on track’ to be ready for 2023

“Rehab is going well,” Garett Bolles said earlier this month. “I am right on track with where I need to be to be ready for next season.”

Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles broke his leg last October, prematurely ending his 2022 season with 12 games remaining.

Bolles previously started 48-straight games in his first three seasons with the Broncos before playing 15 games in 2020 and 14 games in 2021. For a player who had stayed mostly healthy for a majority of his career, being sidelined for a bulk of the 2022 season was hard.

“We all know that I am super competitive. I love my brothers on this team, so when I went down, it was very devasting for me mentally, spiritually, and everything like that,” Bolles said on Jan. 9. “I’ve just had to overcome a lot of adversity. This is something I have never gone through. Over the years, I have been pretty reliable when it comes to playing time and being on the field and just doing my job. When I went down it was hard.” 

Fortunately, Bolles’ recovery is going well, and he says he is on track to be ready in time for the 2023 season.

“I feel good, and surgery went well. Rehab is going well. I am right on track with where I need to be to be ready for next season.”

Bolles declined to give an exact timeline for his recovery process, but he did say he expects to begin doing “some football activity” in February or March.

“It’s just something I have never gone through, so I am not quite sure what to expect,” Bolles said. “I just know where my mindset is and where I need to be to get ready. I want to come back and be the best left tackle in football. That’s my goal, and I’m going to do it.”

Denver typically begins training camp in late July with preseason beginning in August ahead of the regular season beginning in September.

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Studs and duds from Broncos’ 2022 season

The Broncos’ season is over. Here’s a look back at what went wrong (and right) last season.

The Denver Broncos finished the 2022 campaign with a win over the playoff-bound Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, capping a 5-12 season.

We will take a look at two studs from the game, as well as a studs-and-duds seasonal recap.