It's late May in the NFL calendar, which means the news cycle is usually filled with contract holdouts, training camp predictions, and the occasional player making headlines for all the wrong reasons. But every once in a while, a story surfaces that reminds you why football is worth paying attention to even when the pads aren't on. Recently, an extended interview with Denver Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles provided exactly the kind of substance-driven conversation that cuts through the offseason noise.
Bolles, the veteran anchor of Denver's offensive line, spoke candidly about the Broncos' evolving offensive identity -- and specifically about why second-year offensive coordinator Davis Webb will be calling plays this upcoming season under head coach Sean Payton. This topic has generated plenty of curiosity around the league, especially given Payton's reputation as a hands-on offensive architect who called his own plays for most of his tenure in New Orleans.
According to Bolles, the answer is straightforward: Sean Payton trusts Davis Webb, and that trust has been earned.
"I think they've become one of those duos where Sean knows exactly what he wants, but he knows Webb can execute that vision," Bolles said in the interview. "And that's huge for us as an offense. It gives us confidence knowing the guy in the headset is dialed in. Webb's got that new school energy, but he's got the old school preparation. He lives in the film room. You can feel it when he walks in the building."
That endorsement carries significant weight in a locker room that has seen its share of offensive turnover in recent years. Bolles has been with the Broncos since 2017, making him one of the longest-tenured players on the roster. He has blocked for quarterbacks ranging from Case Keenum to Bo Nix, and has operated under four different head coaches. When he talks about offensive leadership, it's with a perspective few others on the team possess.
The Davis Webb Era Begins in Earnest
Webb was promoted to offensive coordinator in February 2026 after spending the 2025 season as the team's quarterbacks coach. The move was part of a larger restructuring of Payton's staff and signaled a deliberate transition in the Broncos' approach to game planning and play calling. Payton has always been a coach who likes to have his fingerprints on every aspect of the offense, but he has also shown a willingness to empower young coaches -- just as he did previously with Pete Carmichael Jr. and Dan Roushar in New Orleans.
Some fans have questioned whether Webb is truly ready to call plays in a league where defensive coordinators are more sophisticated than ever. Based on Bolles' comments, the answer is a resounding yes.
"He's got a feel for it. It's not just about calling the play -- it's about knowing when to call it," Bolles said. "There's a rhythm to this thing, and Webb gets it. He's not just reading off a sheet. He sees what the defense is giving us and he adjusts. That's a special thing for someone his age."
At just 31 years old, Webb is one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the NFL. He was a fourth-round pick by the New York Giants in 2017 and spent time with the Jets, Bills, and 49ers before transitioning into coaching. He joined Payton's staff in 2023 as an offensive assistant and quickly climbed the ranks. His youth and energy have been credited with building strong rapport with a quarterback room featuring second-year starter Bo Nix and veteran backups Sam Ehlinger and Jarrett Stidham.
The Quarterback Connection
Bolles also touched on the relationship between Webb and Nix, describing it as "developing into something special." That chemistry will be critical for a Broncos offense looking to take the next step after a promising but inconsistent 2025 season.
"Bo is a student of the game. He wants to be great, and Webb feeds off that. They're in the building at six in the morning going over red zone concepts. They text each other at night. It's a partnership," Bolles said. "And when your left tackle sees that kind of connection between your OC and your quarterback, you know you've got something."
The Broncos invested heavily in Nix after selecting him in the first round of the 2024 draft, and the early returns have been encouraging. Last season, Nix threw for 3,800 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, showing steady improvement as the year progressed. His mobility and quick processing align well with Payton's scheme, which relies on pre-snap recognition and quick decision-making.
But even the best quarterback needs protection, and Bolles is keenly aware of his role in making the offense function. The 33-year-old tackle is entering the final year of his contract, and there has been no shortage of speculation about his future in Denver. When asked about his own situation, Bolles kept the focus on the team's goals.
"I've been here through the ups and downs. I love this city, I love this franchise. But right now, it's about winning. It's about building something that lasts. And I think we're close," Bolles said. "Whatever happens with my contract happens. I can't control that. What I can control is being the best version of myself for this team every single day."
An Offensive Line Poised for Growth
With Bolles anchoring the left tackle spot and Mike McGlinchey on the right, the Broncos boast one of the more experienced tackle tandems in the league. The interior is anchored by Quinn Meinerz and Ben Powers, both of whom graded out as above-average starters throughout the 2025 season. Depth options like Alex Palczewski and Frank Crum add valuable versatility, and the team also added undrafted rookie Marques Cox during the offseason.
The unit's performance will be critical to Webb's success. A cohesive offensive line gives a play-caller more flexibility -- more time to develop downfield concepts, more confidence in calling play-action, and more margin for error when protections break down.
"We've got guys who are bought in. That's the biggest thing," Bolles said. "Webb can call the greatest play in the world, but if we don't execute up front, it doesn't matter. We take that personally."
Beyond the X's and O's
What makes Bolles' interview stand out is not just the football insight -- it's the context in which it was given. The interview was published at a time when Yahoo Sports described the NFL offseason as "more offseason nonsense," referring to the endless cycle of speculative trade rumors, agent-driven leaks, and drama dominating the NFL news cycle in May.
In that environment, a player like Bolles voluntarily sitting down to discuss scheme, trust, and leadership feels refreshing. He didn't have to do the interview. He chose to. And in doing so, he offered a window into a Broncos locker room that appears unified behind a new offensive vision.
Whether that vision translates into wins remains to be seen. The AFC West is as competitive as ever, with Patrick Mahomes still playing at an elite level in Kansas City, the Chargers reloading under Jim Harbaugh, and the Raiders continuing to add talent. But if the Broncos are going to close the gap, it will start with the relationship between a veteran offensive tackle who has seen it all and a young coordinator who is ready to prove himself.
As Bolles put it: "People can talk all they want about what we can't do. We're going to show them what we can do. Starting with Webb calling the plays."
For a fan base hungry for offensive relevance, that conviction is exactly what they need to hear.