The Denver Broncos stunned fans during the 2024 season, ending their historic playoff drought with a triumphant return to relevance following a Super Bowl win. Central to this breakthrough was rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who became only the second rookie in NFL history to win 10 games while accumulating over 4,000 total yards and scoring 30 touchdowns in a single season. Alongside Nix’s emergence, the Broncos boasted one of the league’s most aggressive defenses, ranking in the top five for sacks (63), pressure percentage (40%), and blitz percentage (37%). Together, these elements sparked a remarkable turnaround for Denver.
Garett Bolles Anchors a Top-Tier Offensive Line That Protected and Propelled the Offense
While Denver’s defense and rookie quarterback stole much of the spotlight, the offensive line played a crucial supporting role. Left tackle Garett Bolles stood out as a premier pass blocker, earning an 88.4 Pro Football Focus (PFF) pass-blocking grade in 2024, which ranked fifth among 140 tackles league-wide. Bolles was also named No. 74 in Pete Prisco’s top 100 players for 2025, recognizing his elite skills and consistency. This season marked Bolles’ first winning campaign after eight years with the Broncos, the only team he has played for—a testament to his resilience and loyalty.
Bolles Reflects on His Journey and Commitment to Denver
Bolles emphasized that legacy drives him beyond immediate success. Reflecting on his career, he shared,
I care more about legacy, and when you leave your legacy, you invent something that nobody can take away from you,
according to remarks made to CBS Sports. He explained the adjustments he made both on and off the field:
Obviously that just speaks volumes to what type of player I am, who’s willing to adjust my game and adjust the way I handle myself in the locker room and the community throughout these years to stay here. It hasn’t been an easy place to be here, but I’m so grateful I stuck it out …
Bolles also highlighted the personal connection he and his family have to Denver:
Being here in Denver. This is home. This is where my wife wants to be, my kids want to be, we have so many great friends here and putting Denver back on the map to where it belongs has always been a dream of mine. To be able to be there leading the pack has been a great experience for me and I’m beyond grateful to see the success happening…
Recognizing Coach Sean Payton’s Influence on the Broncos’ Success
Bolles praised the impact of coach Sean Payton, who Denver acquired in 2023, crediting him with the team’s development and winning record.
I don’t think there’s a more competitive person out there besides probably Michael Jordan (compared) to Coach Payton because he’s just that type of guy,
Bolles said.
He expects so much out of us but also knows how to bring us in and to love us and to cherish us and put us in the best position to win.
He further expressed the confidence within the locker room despite initial skepticism from outsiders:
When we had a rookie quarterback with a bunch of new guys and an O-Line that was coming off its second season playing together, nobody believed in us besides ourselves. We’re gonna be really good this year because of the teammates that I have in our locker room and the leadership that we have with Bo and with coach Payton and coach (Zach) Strief. The sky is the limit for us…
Early Season Struggles and the Vital Team-Bonding Breakthrough
The Broncos’ 2024 season began shakily with two losses, and by Week 4, they hovered at a .500 record. Their second win against the New York Jets was a low-scoring, gritty 10-9 victory marked by offensive struggles. In that game, Nix completed just 7 of 15 passes for minus-7 yards in the first half, with several completions not advancing the ball positively. Yet, Bolles pointed to this challenging period as the turning point, attributing much of their midseason surge to a strategic change in the team’s travel schedule.
Denver requested two consecutive road games on the East Coast, using the week in between to bond as a team at a resort in West Virginia. Bolles described the experience as transformative:
When we went on the two-game road streak where we had to go to Tampa and then spent a week at The Greenbrier in West Virginia and then ended up playing the Jets in the rainy game where we had to ground and pound the ball to win that game,
he said.
But spending that quality time with your teammates and our organization and our coaching staff where you’re away from our families and just really having a bonding experience is what I think was the turning point for our season.
He continued to highlight the chemistry developed during this time:
We ended up winning two games — going into Tampa and nobody thought we were gonna do what we needed to do and we handled business, and then going up for the week in the woods and spending time with each other in a very rural area, where there’s not a lot of things to do besides just hanging out with each other, and that’s what we did. Our team is so close, man. From the rookies to the veteran players to the old guy like me. It’s just awesome to be able to be that voice for my teammates and for this organization. We’re right at the tip of the iceberg, and we’re not quite sure what’s going to come our way but we’re ready to embrace any challenge and any obstacle that we need to face to get back to where we want.
Bo Nix’s Exceptional Rookie Campaign Fuels Renewed Hope in Denver
Bo Nix’s performance fueled much of the optimism surrounding the Broncos’ resurgence. He became the first rookie quarterback to start a playoff game in franchise history, finishing second all-time among rookies in passing touchdowns with 29, and third in total touchdowns at 34. Impressively, he posted the lowest rate of negative plays such as sacks, fumbles, or interceptions (5.7%) for a rookie quarterback since 1970. Bolles shared his admiration for Nix’s skill set and composure:
Well one, I learned that nothing fazes the kid, and two, I learned that this dude is a freak,
Bolles said. He detailed Nix’s athleticism and football IQ:
His running ability, number one, he’s faster than anyone thinks that he is, and then number two, the way he reads defenses and puts the ball in places where only our receivers can get it. That Cincinnati game, where he threw the ball deep to Marvin Mims and Marvin Mims went and got it, and it was like a 60-plus yard throw. Which was the longest throw I think last year in the air for a quarterback.
Bolles elaborated on Nix’s unshakable confidence regardless of circumstances:
That’s just the type he is. Nothing fazes him. It doesn’t matter if it’s the lowest moments or the highest moments. It doesn’t matter what stress level it is or if the stadium is loud. This dude is so collected. He has that face where when he steps on that football field it changes for him, and he turns into somebody that … I don’t even know if he knows. But it’s been really cool to see the growth and the maturity level of him… I’m just beyond grateful to block for a quarterback that loves football, that loves this city and is gonna put us in the best situation to get back to where we are and that’s deep in the playoffs.
Bolles Stresses Offensive Line Excellence as the Key to Future Success
When asked what the Broncos must do to win a Super Bowl in 2026, Bolles focused squarely on the offensive line rather than individual skill players like Nix or free-agent signer Evan Engram.
If the O-Line takes care of business,
Bolles stated succinctly, underscoring the foundation his position group provides for the whole team’s achievements.
Bolles’ Commitment Beyond Football: Community and Veteran Advocacy
Off the field, Garett Bolles remains deeply engaged in community service, particularly efforts supporting military personnel and their families. With family ties to veteran service, Bolles volunteered alongside organizations such as Team Rubicon and USAA at Eagles Nest Ranch, a nonprofit offering equine therapy for military members and first responders. There, he helped create protective zones to reduce wildfire risks and raise awareness about wildfire prevention in Denver, exemplifying his leadership and dedication to causes beyond football.
A Resilient Denver Broncos Team Poised for Continued Growth
The Broncos’ 2024 season embodied resilience, fueled by Bo Nix’s historic rookie contributions and Garett Bolles’ steady leadership on the offensive line. The combination of a fierce defense, a committed coaching staff led by Sean Payton, and a tightly bonded locker room has transformed Denver into a formidable contender once again. With a focus on maintaining offensive line dominance and nurturing young talent, the Broncos appear ready to build on their breakthrough year and chase deeper playoff runs in the near future.