Two of the Broncos’ longest-tenured veterans just got a major nod from CBS Sports, and it comes with the kind of reminder every front office has to keep in the back of its mind.
Tyler Sullivan ranked the NFL’s top 30 players who are 30 or older, and Denver landed twice on the list with Courtland Sutton at No. 29 and Garett Bolles at No. 9. It’s a strong sign for a Broncos roster that’s being talked about as one of the league’s best, but it also circles back to the same reality George Paton has to manage: the future has to be built while the present is still rolling.
Here’s how Sullivan framed Sutton:
"29. Courtland Sutton
Sutton is one of the more underrated wideouts that we have in the NFL. The Broncos pass catcher is coming off back-to-back seasons in which he topped 1,000 receiving yards and at least seven receiving touchdowns.
In 2025, he was named to the Pro Bowl for just the second time in his career after leading the Broncos in every meaningful receiving category, including 124 targets. Jaylen Waddle's arrival at Mile High this offseason may eat into Sutton's target share a bit.
Still, there's an argument that he'll get more quality targets with opposing secondaries now needing to slow down multiple top receiving weapons, setting up another strong season."
And on Bolles:
"9. Garett Bolles
Bolles is coming off a 2025 season in which he helped the Broncos advance to the AFC Championship game and, in the process, was named first-team All-Pro and selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career. Bolles allowed no sacks throughout the regular season, nor in the playoffs as Denver made its push.
He also allowed just 19 total pressures during the regular season. Bolles is a key fixture in the development of Bo Nix and a key pillar to their Super Bowl aspirations."
Sutton is heading into his age-31 season in 2026, while Bolles will play at age 34. Both have been playing some of the best football of their careers over the last two years, which makes the recognition easy to understand.
Bolles, especially, fits the mold of a veteran who can age gracefully. Offensive tackles can hold up longer than players at a lot of other positions, and Bolles proved it by playing at an elite level in his age-33 season. A run of another three to five years at a high level isn’t hard to imagine.
Sutton’s situation feels a little different. He’ll turn 31 about halfway through the season, and with Pat Bryant a younger receiver who brings a similar profile, there’s at least a possibility that 2026 could be Sutton’s last year in Denver. That becomes even more plausible if the Broncos are looking ahead to extensions for Jaylen Waddle and maybe even Bo Nix next offseason.
For now, though, the Broncos are getting premium production from both players. Sutton may not be a classic No. 1 receiver at this point, but he has become a reliable weapon in big moments, especially on third and fourth downs. And with Waddle likely drawing the top corner from opposing defenses, Sutton could see cleaner matchups and another productive season in 2026 before Denver has to make any harder decisions.
In Other News...
3 Broncos Suddenly Facing Serious Pressure As Final Cuts Near
With final roster cuts looming in the 2026 NFL preseason, the Broncos are getting a clearer picture of which bubble players can afford a strong finish and which ones are running out of runway. Jaleel McLaughlin, Drew Sanders and Tycen Anderson have all found themselves in a difficult spot as Denver sorts through the back end of the roster, with each player dealing with a different problem at a time when every snap matters.
McLaughlins issue has been ball security, Sanders has been held back by injuries and Anderson has not done enough to separate himself in a crowded safety group. That combination has put all three on the outside looking in as the Broncos move toward final decisions, and the next few practices will go a long way toward showing whether any of them can force their way back into the conversation. [Read more 🡒]
Bo Nix And Jaylen Waddle Just Gave Broncos Fans A Reason To Watch
A healthy-looking Jaylen Waddle back on the practice field was already a welcome sight at Broncos camp, but Bo Nix made the moment feel even bigger with a sharp deep strike during a recent workout. It was the kind of connection Denver has been trying to cultivate as camp progresses, one that hints at more pop in an offense that wants to stress defenses vertically instead of settling for routine completions.
Waddle had been limited after dealing with muscle tightness, so simply getting him back into team periods mattered. The Broncos have been looking for signs that their passing game can stretch the field and create explosive plays, and this rep gave coaches and observers another reason to think the pieces might be coming together at the right time. [Read more 🡒]
Broncos Veterans Suddenly Have Everything Riding On This Packers Game
The preseason has already turned into a referendum on a handful of Broncos veterans, and the roster math is getting tighter by the day. Denver is sorting through its backup quarterback picture, with Josh Love and Sam Ehlinger in the mix, while Tim Patrick is trying to hold off a wave of younger receivers and special teams contributors. At running back, Chase McLaughlin is also in the middle of a fight simply to stay in the conversation as the Broncos sort out their depth.
For players like Patrick and McLaughlin, the Packers game carries a little extra weight because it is no longer just about getting reps. The Broncos are balancing experience against upside and special teams value, which means every snap can help or hurt a veteran trying to make the final cut. In that kind of environment, the difference between sticking around and being the odd man out can come down to how a coach reads one more preseason performance. [Read more 🡒]