The Broncos’ offensive line is better for its lighter wallets.
Over the past couple seasons, the unit has self-imposed a fine system among its members, with levies assessed for violations such as missed assignments, penalties, mental errors, and for any actions perceived as putting a spotlight on the O-line.
All the money accumulated in the fine pot goes toward the unit’s group vacation following the season, which took them to Mexico in 2024 and Las Vegas in 2025.
“The rule is really anything that brings attention to yourself gets fined, because the O-line way is to not do so,” right tackle Mike McGlinchey said. “It brings us closer together, and it’s all in good fun. It’s never intended (to be divisive), or to truly get under each other’s skin.
“It’s all about holding each other accountable for the mental stuff, and most of the other stuff that’s finable is all fun and games. And it certainly makes the trip better on the back end of the year.”
The fine system has a treasurer, center Alex Forsyth, as well as a “bell-ringer,” the player designated with ringing a physical bell that resides in the offensive line room when errors are discovered during film review. That duty falls to practice squad guard Calvin Throckmorton.
If a player disagrees with a fine, the unit also has a “sensitive fine.”
“If you say anything back after the bell-ringing, you’ll get fined again,” left guard Ben Powers said with a laugh.
Offensive linemen can also be fined for being seen talking with any of the team’s “suits,” such as general manager George Paton or members of the team’s ownership group. Plus, Powers says that if an offensive lineman is touched by head coach Sean Payton at any point during a game, that is also subject to a fine.
“You’ve got to take a picture of any (lineman) that’s seen with any of the suits, and then that evidence is brought to the Kangaroo Court,” McGlinchey said. “And once it gets there, I’ve never seen somebody win an appeal.”
Powers says fines are usually in the range of $50 to $100, and that money is eventually used on costs such as hotels, dinners and activities for the annual vacation. The location and timing of this year’s trip are to be determined, partly because of the Broncos’ aspirations for a deep playoff run starting on Saturday against the Bills in the AFC divisional game at Empower Field, and also because the unit has been busy in the family department.
The wives of McGlinchey and Powers are both expecting children in the coming weeks, while center Luke Wattenberg and tackle Frank Crum both recently welcomed a child.
“Hopefully we’ll decide on the trip on Feb. 9, the day after the Super Bowl,” McGlinchey said.
While Powers explained that the fine system “brings (levity) to a hard job,” he and McGlinchey say it’s also been a factor in developing the culture that turned the Broncos’ front into one of the best offensive lines in football over the past two playoff seasons.
This season, Pro Football Focus ranked Denver’s offensive line as the best in football as the Broncos were the league’s most efficient pass-blocking unit for the second straight year.
The Broncos’ O-line allowed 23 sacks in ’25, tied with the Rams for a league-low. Denver’s 3.6% sack rate was the NFL’s best, and drastically better than the league average of 6.9%. And the Broncos allowed 186 pressures for a pressure rate of 27.7%, according to Next Gen Stats, which ranked 3rd in the NFL. Denver Broncos running back J.K. Dobbins (27) finds running room ahead of a block by teammate Ben Powers (74) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
That consistent protection allowed quarterback Bo Nix to flourish in his second pro season, plus the front enabled the Broncos to run the ball when they needed to in critical situations en route to going 14-3 to earn the AFC’s top seed. Denver’s O-line did all that despite dealing with a couple of key injuries.
Powers suffered a torn bicep in the Week 5 win in Philadelphia before returning to the lineup on a snap count on Dec. 21 against Jacksonville, and resuming a full-time role in the regular season finale against the Chargers. Alex Palczewski filled in for Powers and rotated with him in Powers’ first couple of games back. Plus, Wattenberg suffered a late-season shoulder injury that led to him being placed on injured reserve; Forsyth has played center since.
“That’s what makes this group special, is the next man up has been able to fill in and be so productive,” Powers said. “There hasn’t really been a drop-off, so that has made our unit be able to continue to play well.” Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz (77) celebrates with QB Bo Nix after Nix scored a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Thursday, Dec. 25, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)
Right guard Quinn Meinerz and left tackle Garret Bolles, whose 90.8 PFF pass-blocking grade was the highest among all tackles, earned first-team All-Pro honors. Meinerz said the distinction “means more about our entire group than individually.”
“That is an award that has (me and Bolles’) names on it, but it’s a team award,” Meinerz said. “… We did a really good job this year protecting Bo during the season. We’ve been an efficient O-line that wants the weight on our shoulders.
“… Offensive linemen don’t necessarily love the individual recognition (as the fine pot underscores). I want to be recognized as our unit, and this Denver Broncos offensive line has played a really good season. Now, we have to do the same in the playoffs.”
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