Denver Broncos five highest-paid players for the 2022 season

May 23, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (3) during OTA workouts at the UC Health Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Denver Broncos
Apr 25, 2022; Englewood, CO, USA; Denver Broncos tackle Garett Bolles (72) stretches during a Denver Broncos mini camp at UCHealth Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos highest-paid player in 2022 no. 2: Garett Bolles, OT

2022 cash: $17 million

What a success story.

Garett Bolles looked like he was on his way to potential NFL Draft first-round bust territory over the first three years of his career.

Miraculously, in year four, he had a major turnaround and the Denver Broncos rewarded him with a long-term contract extension.

He rewarded them with even more consistent play in 2021.

Bolles has a cash payout in 2022 of $17 million but his cap hit is actually $21 million this season due to a prorated bonus that counts $4 million against this year’s books.

The cash payout on Bolles’ deal this year is the sum total of his base salary. At $17 million, Bolles is making $1 million per game this season, if you want to break it down that way.

The $21 million Bolles will count against this year’s salary cap is the biggest figure of the duration of the contract.

His cap hit in 2023 goes down to $18 million, and in 2024, it jumps back up to $20 million.

The contract with Bolles was structured to have an “out” at the end of the 2022 season with just $8 million in dead money.

Considering the fact that Bolles is playing a premium position and is playing well, it would be surprising if the Broncos decided to take the ‘out’ that’s available to them but you never know.