An 'Angry' Garett Bolles Puts Russell Wilson Haters On Notice

Garett Bolles had a message to the ubiquitous throng of Russell Wilson haters across the fruited plain.

Garett Bolles missed a good chunk of last season and had to eat his heart out in frustration as his "dear" friend, Russell Wilson, was dragged through the mud amid the Denver Broncos' five-win season. Wilson became a MEME —a National Lampoon of sorts — in a frankly unfair way, and Bolles took it personally.

Fast forward to 2023, and Bolles is back in the building, tasked with protecting Wilson's blindside in Sean Payton's new offense. On Thursday, Bolles spoke publicly for the first time, really, since his season-ending broken leg suffered in Week 5, and made it clear how he felt about all the Wilson shade.

“I think he’s phenomenal," Bolles said of Wilson. "You guys write the stories, so the fire goes where you guys write. And that’s just reality. But we knew who he was as a person. We know who he is. I’ve known him very personal. I love him dearly. I think he’s one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game in the last 10 years. I mean, stats don’t lie."

Bolles finds it ridiculous how Wilson's reputation has been dragged through the mud due to one bad season. Bolles foresees the Wilson doubters ruing their, at times, harsh and cruel criticism.

"Just because you have one rough season, you can’t dictate the type of guy and his personality and what he goes through," Bolles said. "I was angry with everything that came out because I love him dearly. I take it very personal when people talk about him because nobody knows him like I do, or us here. So when you put your heart on the line, and you’re focused, and things go rocky, you look like the bad guy. But he’s not. He’s a great dude. He’s the same guy every single day. He works his butt off. I’m ready for that stuff to go away and when it goes, everyone’s going to eat crow.” 

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Only time and production can change Wilson's tarnished public image. For now, all Bolles, Wilson, and their fellow Broncos teammates can do is put their heads down and work to implement Payton's vision. 

The Broncos have experienced sweeping change since last Bolles was in the lineup. From the Payton hire, to all his new assistants arriving, the influx of new players, and the exodus of long-time veterans, it's fair to say that the Broncos have undergone an extreme makeover of sorts. 

The Broncos' offensive line is emblematic of that change, but it certainly hasn't been for the worst. In fact, if the Broncos are able to suss Payton's vision into reality, it starts with the O-line — and all of Bolles' wildest dreams of winning and restoring Wilson's reputation will come true. 

“That room is completely changed," Payton said on Thursday of the O-line. "If there was one position group [that was like] that show, 'Complete Home Makeover,' that would be that position group."

Among the changes, the Broncos said goodbye to left guard Dalton Risner — a four-year starter — and replaced him with Ben Powers, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens. The Broncos also maneuvered early to solve the team's lingering right tackle woes, signing long-time San Francisco 49ers fixture Mike McGlinchey to an enormous contract. 

With McGlinchey in town, the Broncos now boast a very formidable tackle duo, with Bolles set to reprise his role as the starting left tackle. Payton has been "pleased" with what he's seen from Bolles thus far. 

“He’s doing well. Obviously, he’s putting in the time with the rehab and the recovery," Payton said. "I think the relationships and all the things that go into play in that position, he’s been very impressive. Then there’s a new offense, terminology and all those things that go along with it, but I’ve been really pleased.”

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