The Denver Broncos head into the offseason with more answers than questions - a luxury in today’s NFL - but that doesn’t mean they can afford to stand still. After a 14-3 campaign that earned them the AFC’s top seed and home-field advantage through the playoffs, Denver’s season came to a screeching halt in a frustrating, low-scoring loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
It was a game where just about everything that could go wrong did: quarterback play was shaky, the kicking game faltered, the weather didn’t help, and the run game never found its footing. But one area that held firm, just as it had all season, was the offensive line - particularly the tackles.
Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey were a rock-solid duo on the edges, and their performance didn’t go unnoticed. Both finished the season ranked among Pro Football Focus’ top 20 offensive tackles, with Bolles earning the distinction of being the fifth-best at the position. That’s not just high praise - it’s elite company.
Bolles, in particular, had a season worthy of serious recognition. He was named a first-team All-Pro, and it was well deserved.
He didn’t surrender a single sack all year, logged the third-most snaps of any tackle in the league, and was dominant in both pass protection and run blocking. That kind of consistency at left tackle is rare - and incredibly valuable.
So with that kind of production, it might seem counterintuitive for Denver to even consider drafting an offensive tackle this spring. But when you zoom out and look at the bigger picture, it starts to make a lot of sense.
Bolles turns 34 this summer. McGlinchey just hit 31.
While both have been durable and dependable, the shelf life for offensive linemen - especially tackles - is never guaranteed. And the Broncos haven’t drafted a tackle since they took Bolles back in 2017.
That’s nearly a decade without adding a developmental prospect at one of the most critical positions on the field.
That’s why, even with two high-performing veterans in place, it’s smart team-building for GM George Paton to start thinking about the future now. Bringing in a young tackle or two - even if they’re raw and not ready to contribute right away - gives Denver time to develop them behind two pros who know how to do it the right way. There’s real value in having future starters learn the ropes from Bolles and McGlinchey while they’re still playing at a high level.
It’s not about urgency. It’s about sustainability.
And let’s be clear: the Broncos have other needs to address this offseason. Linebacker is likely to be a top priority, especially with the possibility of losing Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad in free agency. But offensive line depth should still be on the radar - and not just as an afterthought.
In today’s NFL, you can never have too many capable linemen. Injuries happen.
Depth gets tested. And when your offense is built around a quarterback who needs time to operate and a run game that thrives on physicality, the trenches matter more than ever.
So while the spotlight may shine brightest on free agency decisions and headline draft picks, don’t be surprised if Denver uses one or two of its selections on the offensive line - even if it's in the later rounds. Investing in the future of the tackle position now could pay major dividends down the road.