5 moves the Broncos should plan on making for 2021 offseason

2. Broncos should franchise tag Garett Bolles

The Denver Broncos are in a unique position with Garett Bolles in 2021.

The former first-round pick at left tackle has taken a huge leap forward in his play in 2020 and has earned at least a franchise tag in 2021, if not a long-term deal.

Just like with Phillip Lindsay, the Broncos have leverage on Bolles with the franchise tag, even if it is going to cost them quite a bit more than the fifth-year team option would have should they have chosen to exercise that (which they did not).

Even taking the hit on the added guaranteed cash for keeping Bolles around on the franchise tag, there’s no question the Broncos should make that move if Bolles is unwilling to come to a reasonable long-term agreement.

The Broncos have a couple of things on Bolles right now. First off, they have the franchise tag. Second, the franchise tag option gives the Broncos the leverage to delay Bolles’ free agency by a year. That wouldn’t be a huge deal to most players except Bolles will be 29 next May, and would be 30 by the time he would get into a new program in 2022.

The Broncos also are just seeing Bolles play this effectively for the first time. The advantage of sticking to their number on a contract extension and using the franchise tag means they spend way less guaranteed cash if Bolles isn’t able to carry this performance over into 2021.

Based on his play so far in 2020, it’s reasonable to want Bolles to get a full-on contract extension, but it might be more likely that he will receive the franchise tag if he’s asking for more than what the Broncos are willing to give.