The Denver Broncos made a huge move for the future of the offensive line when they signed Quinn Meinerz to a massive extension just ahead of training camp. The front office has been lauded for this move, but the work can't stop there.
There is an easy argument to make that the offensive line is as important as any part of a football team so keeping an offensive line intact is something teams must strive for. The Broncos have Meinerz under contract for the next handful of years and now need to do the same with their left tackle, Garett Bolles.
Bolles catches a lot of criticism from Broncos fans but he is an above-average left tackle who could still have his best play in front of him as long as Zach Strief is coaching him.
Cecil Lammey and Andrew Mason discussed that on Orange & Blue Today.
Is Garett Bolles the most IMPORTANT Broncos player? | Orange and Blue Today podcast [broncos news] https://t.co/yF9tJL8WHs
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Garett Bolles must be a priority for Denver Broncos in 2025
The Broncos could have released Bolles this offseason and saved $16 million against the cap, but they chose not to. What sense would that make if you were just going to let him walk after this season?
Bolles is among a lengthy list of unrestricted free agents for the team this coming offseason but he should be the player at the top of the team's priority list, even if that means letting some of the others find deals elsewhere.
It's not easy to find solid left tackles and the Broncos can't just assume they can draft one if the 2024 season goes awry.
The Broncos gave Bolles a contract extension during the 2020 season and it doing the same this season should not be ruled out. If Bolles is playing on the level that he did last season, or even better, the team should get a deal done to prevent him from even entering free agency.
Keeping this offensive line together could be crucial to the development of Bo Nix, perhaps more crucial than anything. That fact can't be lost on a front office that just made a great move and needs to keep the momentum going.