The Lead

After the first playoff berth of his career, Broncos tackle Garett Bolles believes Denver is ready to take another step in 2025.

"Our team's special," Bolles said Monday at his first GB3 youth camp in Denver. "Last year, we were young and we were inexperienced. Finally, we dipped our toe in the water. Obviously it didn't end up the way we wanted it to end up, but I think we learned so much about what we have and the core players that we have."

There's a number of reasons for Bolles' optimism, including a second-year quarterback in Bo Nix that Bolles said he's "grateful" is with the Broncos.

"His composure, his demeanor, his work ethic — everything about him," Bolles said. "… I'm so grateful I get to block for him and the connection we have, the friendship that we have."

As Bolles looks ahead to the upcoming season, he also believes the Broncos have the necessary talent to make strides in the run game. A year ago, Denver ranked 16th in rushing yards and tied for 20th in yards per attempt — and the team prioritized adding a running back in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Broncos selected Central Florida's RJ Harvey in the second round, and Bolles has already seen signs of the young player's talent.

"You want to think he's a rookie, but he's a dog," Bolles said of Harvey. "You see him in OTAs and what he's done, and he's caught onto the playbook. He has the speed that we need."

Bolles also pointed to the rest of the Broncos' running back room — which includes Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie and Blake Watson — and said the group is "loaded" with talent.

The longest-tenured Bronco, though, believes Denver's level of success in the run game will be determined by the five players up front. The Broncos return all five starting linemen and graded out as one of the best groups in the NFL in 2024. In a new season, they'll look to again prove themselves as a top unit.

"I feel like it's going to [be] up to us five up front and our demeanor and the way we run off the ball, the tenacity that we have and the chemistry that we have to get the ball [rolling]," Bolles said. "When we do that, we're a dangerous team."