Garett Bolles talks improvement entering final year of Broncos contract

ENGLEWOOD — The Bolles family is getting bigger.

On Friday, to begin Broncos training camp, starting left tackle Garett Bolles said it could be “any day now” when his wife, Natalie, gives birth to their third child — a baby girl. The milestone is a reminder of Bolles’ personal growth in Denver since being drafted 20th overall in 2017.

“My family grew up here. I became a man here. I love it here,” Bolles said. “Hopefully, I can stay here as long as I can.”

Bolles, 32, attended voluntary offseason workouts despite no contract extension. His current deal — $68 million over four years — expires following this season. Bolles did not consider holding out for negotiation leverage.

“This team counts on me. So, any time that we have voluntary (workouts), team meetings, or whatever it is, I’m going to be the first one there,” Bolles said. “I love this city. I love this organization. I want to play my whole career here. The front office knows that. They know I want to be a Bronco for life. My family is here and established here. We love it here and we don’t want to go anywhere else. ... The ball is in their court.”

Bolles sees value in consistency.

This marks only the second time in his eight-year NFL career that he will maintain the same head coach and offensive line coach in consecutive seasons. In 2020 — running it back under Vance Joseph and Mike Munchak — Bolles earned second-team All-Pro honors and his big extension.

Will Bolles discover similar success under Sean Payton and Zach Strief in their second stint together?

“One area that he’s working on daily with Zach is landmarks in the run game,” Payton said. “He’s very natural in pass protection. Getting to the right hat placements in the run game — whether he’s playside or on the backside — I think some of those things are areas that he’s worked quite a bit on. … He’s a tremendous athlete.”

Bolles added: “I’ve just got to fix some things in the run game and get comfortable with that. Then the pass game is my cup of tea. So, I’ve just got to switch those roles and just focus on that.”

Bolles described his relationship with Payton as “special” and gushed over returning teammates on the offensive line. Their starters are all back — except at center — where Alex Forsyth, Sam Mustipher and Luke Wattenberg will compete for the job in training camp.

The Broncos last made the postseason in 2015. Bolles remains determined to end that streak.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else in this building that wants to win here more than me,” Bolles said. “Just because I’ve been here the longest. I’ve seen the history we have and the legends that we have in this organization. I just feel like it’s my job to continue to build that.”