LAS VEGAS — The lights are bright for tonight’s “NFL Honors,” and while the Denver Broncos might be watching Super Bowl LX from home after a heartbreaking 10-7 AFC Championship loss to the Patriots, they are walking into the awards ceremony with one of the heaviest trophy cases in franchise history.
Denver officially dominated the accolades for the 2025 season, tying a franchise record with six Associated Press All-Pro selections—a mark that echoes the legendary “Orange Crush” era of 1977. While only four Broncos—Nik Bonitto, Garett Bolles, and Quinn Meinerz—are finalists for individual awards tonight, the team’s roster has already been stamped as the league’s gold standard.
The “Orange Crush” Reborn: Defense & Line Dominate
The voters didn’t just acknowledge the Broncos; they validated a roster that stormed to a 14-3 record and the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The headline grabber is the sheer volume of elite talent recognized by the AP.
First-Team All-Pros:
- LT Garett Bolles: The veteran anchor allowed zero sacks in over 300 pass-blocking snaps, finally ascending to the First Team after years of steady dominance.
- OG Quinn Meinerz: “The Belly” isn’t just a fan favorite anymore; he’s a perennial powerhouse, earning First-Team honors for the second consecutive year.
- DL Zach Allen: Allen wrecked game plans all season, leading interior linemen in pressures and cementing his status as a premier disruptor.
- ST Devon Key: The undrafted hero made history. Key is the first Bronco ever to be named an AP First-Team All-Pro solely as a special teamer, shattering the franchise record with 26 special teams tackles.
Second-Team Stars:
- CB Pat Surtain II: Even on the Second Team, Surtain remains the definition of a lockdown corner, forcing quarterbacks to look elsewhere.
- S Talanoa Hufanga: The big-ticket free agent signing paid off immediately. In his first year in Denver, Hufanga brought his signature physicality to the secondary, earning a Second-Team nod.
“It was super cool when coach put it up in the team room, all of the All-Pros we had this year. I feel Sean [Payton] does a great job of if somebody on the team does something special, he wants the whole team to know about it. I feel like that’s the standard for me now.” — Devon Key, Broncos All-Pro Special Teamer
More Than Just a Game: Bolles’ Big Win
While the on-field accolades are stacking up, the most meaningful victory might belong to Garett Bolles off the field. Earlier this week, the NFLPA named Bolles the 2026 Alan Page Community Award winner, one of the highest honors a player can receive.
Bolles was recognized for his tireless work opening the Bjorem + Bolles Childhood Apraxia Training Center in Parker, Colorado. Inspired by his son’s diagnosis with childhood apraxia of speech, Bolles has turned personal challenge into public triumph, donating $100,000 to the cause.
“I’m beyond grateful to not only have my son be the face of it, but to be able to bring in and save as many kids’ lives as possible. This work is deeply personal to me.” — Garett Bolles
What to Watch Tonight
The hardware collection isn’t finished. Tonight, eyes turn to Nik Bonitto, a finalist for Defensive Player of the Year after a career-best 14-sack season. He faces stiff competition from Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons, but his impact on the league’s top-ranked defense gives him a fighting chance.
Bolles and Meinerz are also finalists for the inaugural “Protector of the Year” award, while Bolles remains a strong contender for the night’s ultimate prize: the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award.
