Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles keeps doing work that doesn’t always jump off the screen, but Sean Payton knows exactly how much it matters.
The Broncos coach said Bolles’ pass protection changes the way opponents have to build their game plan, and that kind of reliability gives Denver real flexibility up front.
“You can’t chip, nudge everyone and you want flare control into the route," Payton told reporters during his post-practice availability on Wednesday. "A lot of times it might be one rusher that you really want to help with.
Yes. I know the whole story of the blind side, but you want one of those...
In other words, that left tackle, there are times where I’ll say to ‘Bollesy’ (Bolles), ‘Hey, you’ve got him.’ He can do that.
Yes, if we’re having to make... Now there’s times if [Charger OLB] Khalil Mack lines up there, we might move the tight end over there with a Mack protection and just nudge wherever he’s at.
Last week we had a little protection plan for where [Chiefs DT Chris] Jones was. So I think that’s tonight’s meeting and it takes a while.
Yes, we appreciate the skillset he has.”
Bolles has backed up that praise with another elite season. The first-team All-Pro from last year is in the middle of another standout run and could be in the mix for the NFL’s Protector of the Year Award.
Through Week 9, Pro Football Focus has him ranked No. 6 among 69 qualifying offensive tackles. He’s ninth in run blocking and fourth in pass protection.
The numbers tell the story even more clearly: over 492 offensive snaps, Bolles hasn’t allowed a sack on Bo Nix. He’s given up just one hit and three pressures, and he’s done it while dealing with some of the league’s toughest early-season opponents in the Chiefs, Jaguars, Rams and Seahawks.
“Nobody scares me," the tenth-year veteran told The Denver Post earlier this week. "I respect all these guys, but nothing scares me.
I’m not scared to go against those dudes like some people are in the league. I think that’s what separates me from everybody else.”
His next test comes Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, and it arrives before Denver’s Week 10 bye. Carolina’s defense, now led by an interim coordinator, has managed only 11 sacks this season, which ranks 28th in the league. Its 11.5% pressure rate is 30th overall.
That setup has the feel of a game Denver should control, even if some want to label it a trap spot. Bolles and the Broncos’ offensive line should have a much easier time with Carolina’s pass rush than they’ve had in several earlier matchups.
After that, the NFL trade deadline looms, and Denver could still make moves, possibly along the offensive line. ESPN recently floated the idea of the Broncos pursuing former Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson from the Philadelphia Eagles, a move that would seemingly target the spot to Bolles’ right and incumbent starter Ben Powers.
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