Garett Bolles Bio
Garett Bolles is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 27, 1992, in Walnut Creek, California, he had a challenging childhood that led him to strive for success in sports. He played college football for Snow College and the University of Utah before being selected by the Broncos in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Bolles is known for his exceptional skills on the field, as well as his dedication to mentoring youth through various community programs.
Early Life and Background
Garett Bolles was born in Walnut Creek, California, on May 27, 1992. His family moved to Lehi, Utah. After being kicked out of his father’s home, Bolles was taken in by the Freeman family. He reconnected with his faith and became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which helped him rebuild his life. He attended Westlake High School in Saratoga Springs, Utah, where he played on both the offensive and defensive lines while also competing in lacrosse.
During his time at Westlake High School, Bolles faced legal troubles. He and four other players were arrested and suspended for three games after vandalizing rival Lehi High School’s football field. Instead of playing college football immediately after high school, Bolles served an LDS Church mission in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Path to American Football
After completing his LDS Church mission, Bolles attended Snow College, where he played for the Badgers from 2014 to 2015. He earned NJCAA first-team All-America honors following his sophomore season, starting all 11 games played. He was named the 2015 Western State Football League Offensive Player of the Year and helped Snow College finish No. 2 in the NJCAA rankings after winning the WSFL championship and Salt City Bowl.
Bolles transferred to the University of Utah in 2016 as the No. 1 overall junior college prospect. In his only season with the Utes, he earned First-team All-Pac-12 honors after opening all 13 games at left tackle. He played on an offensive line that allowed just 2.1 sacks per game and helped Utah’s rushing offense rank third in the Pac-12. After the season, Bolles declared for the 2017 NFL Draft, forgoing his senior year.
Garett Bolles Career
Early Career (2017-2019)
Bolles was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft with the 20th overall pick. He signed a four-year, $11.01 million contract with $8.59 million guaranteed and a $6.16 million signing bonus on May 11, 2017. As a rookie, he opened all 16 games at left tackle, becoming just the fifth rookie left tackle in Broncos history to start every game since starting lineups were tracked beginning in 1968. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors and was the sixth rookie to open the season at left tackle for the Broncos in Week 1.
Bolles continued as a starter in 2018, opening all 16 games at left tackle. In 2019, he started all 16 games and played in all of Denver’s offensive snaps. However, he faced criticism from general manager John Elway for repeatedly getting flagged for holding penalties, more than any other player in the NFL during his first three seasons. On May 1, 2020, the Broncos declined the fifth-year option on his contract, making him a free agent in 2021.
Denver Broncos Breakthrough (2020-Present)
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his contract, Bolles improved dramatically during the 2020 season. On November 28, 2020, after a strong season performance, he signed a four-year, $68 million contract extension with $42 million guaranteed. On January 8, 2021, he was named Second-team All-Pro left tackle. In 2021, he appeared in and started 14 games. In Week 5 of the 2022 season, Bolles suffered a broken leg and was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 10, 2022.
Bolles returned in the 2023 season, starting in all 17 games. He was nominated for the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year award. On December 12, 2024, the Broncos signed Bolles to a four-year, $82 million contract extension through 2027. He started all 17 games in the 2024 season. In the 2025 season, Bolles led all NFL tackles with a 90.7 pass blocking grade and earned his first career Pro Bowl invite, along with First-team All-Pro honors.
Durability and Consistency
Throughout his career with the Broncos, Bolles has demonstrated exceptional durability and reliability. He has started every game in multiple seasons, including a streak of 133 consecutive starts at left tackle. His consistent presence at one of the most demanding positions on the offensive line has made him a cornerstone of Denver’s offense.
Notable Events and Milestones
Bolles earned Second-team All-Pro recognition in 2020 before earning First-team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2025. His contract extensions, first for $68 million in 2020 and then $82 million in December 2024, reflect his value to the organization. In 2026, he was awarded the NFLPA Alan Page Community Award for his extensive charitable work and community involvement.
Garett Bolles Career Wins
Bolles has established himself as one of the most consistent offensive tackles in the NFL. He has started 133 games throughout his career, demonstrating reliability and high-level play at left tackle for the Broncos.
NFL Highlights
Bolles was the fifth rookie left tackle in Broncos history to start every game in his rookie season, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors. His career took off with a Second-team All-Pro selection in 2020, followed by First-team All-Pro and his first Pro Bowl selection in 2025. His 133 career starts and 133 games played highlight his durability. He was nominated for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2023.
Other Achievements
Before his NFL career, Bolles won the WSFL championship with Snow College in 2015 and was named the 2015 Western State Football League Offensive Player of the Year. He was also named First-team All-Pac-12 during his lone season at the University of Utah in 2016.
Garett Bolles Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Garett Bolles was raised in Utah after his family relocated from California. He experienced a troubled youth and was kicked out of his father’s home before being taken in by the Freeman family, who helped him turn his life around. His faith as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints played a significant role in his transformation.
Personal Life
Bolles is married to Natalie Bolles. Together, they have three children: son Kingston and daughters Ariyah and Zaya. In 2021, his son Kingston was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech, a speech disorder that causes difficulty with speech from a young age. Bolles himself grew up dealing with ADHD. Inspired by his son’s diagnosis, Bolles founded the GB3 Foundation, a non-profit focused on improving education strategies, mental health, and physical wellbeing for children with learning disabilities.
Bolles is deeply committed to mentoring youth involved in the justice system. He has been actively involved in juvenile probation and court mentorship programs in Arapahoe County, regularly attending court hearings and events at the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center. In August 2025, Bolles and speech pathologist Jennie Bjorem opened the Bjorem and Bolles Apraxia Education Initiative, a training center designed to assist educators and speech pathologists in diagnosing and treating children with childhood apraxia of speech. For his contributions, Bolles received the Raymond C. Frenchmore Juvenile Law Award from the Arapahoe County Bar Association in June 2023. He was named the NFLPA Community MVP for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season and was awarded the 2026 NFLPA Alan Page Community Award.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a career-defining year for Bolles. He earned First-team All-Pro honors and his first career Pro Bowl selection while leading all NFL tackles with a remarkable 90.7 pass blocking grade. His performance validated the Broncos’ decision to sign him to a four-year, $82 million contract extension in December 2024. Bolles started all 17 games in the 2024 season and continued his consistency into 2025.
With the Broncos entering a new era under head coach Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix, Bolles serves as a veteran anchor on an offense looking to build momentum. His sustained excellence at left tackle provides stability and leadership for a team with playoff aspirations. The 2025 Pro Bowl selection represents the culmination of years of hard work and redemption after early-career struggles with penalties.
Off the field, Bolles continues to expand his impact through the GB3 Foundation and the newly opened Bjorem and Bolles Apraxia Education Initiative. His commitment to community service and youth mentorship has been recognized with multiple awards, including the prestigious NFLPA Alan Page Community Award in 2026. As he enters the later stages of his career, Bolles remains focused on both his performance on the field and his mission to support children facing challenges similar to those he experienced in his own youth.