Mile High Report
After playing is first four years with the San Francisco 49ers, safety Talanoa Hufanga hopes he can help the Denver Broncos ascend to greater heights.
The Denver Broncos have a storied history when it comes to safeties.
Steve Atwater, Bill Thompson, Goose Gonsoulin, Dennis Smith, John Lynch, and Brian Dawkin. Those are just a few prolific players that come to mind that have donned the orange and blue. Throughout all decades of the franchise, you’ll come across a difference maker or enforcer on the backend of their defense.
Last year, the Broncos struck gold with free agent addition Brandon Jones, who played well in his first year with the squad. This offseason, they upgraded their secondary by adding Talanoa Hufanga. The team is confident he will provide an added dynamic to a defense that already was one of the best in the league in 2024. For his part, the fifth-year pro is looking to follow in the footsteps of those legends and honor that tradition.
“There is a long line of history here. My goal is to represent them the right way,” stated Hufanga.
Injuries have limited the talented ballhawk to just 17 games over the past two seasons. But when healthy, Hufanga’s snaps on the field are smashmouth reps filled with impact. Between 2022 and 2023, he reeled in 7 interceptions, returned one for a touchdown, and forced two fumbles on defense. For his efforts in 2022, he earned Pro-Bowl and All-Pro honors.
Fans across Broncos Country all hope he can stay injury-free and revert back to the player he was just a few seasons ago. If he does, there is no telling how great the team’s defense could be in 2025. Injury questions aside, there’s no doubt he plays the game with aggressiveness and a fiery passion that will revitalize and energize the Broncos’ defense this coming season.
“I think that it’s free violence, I guess you could say, and you don’t get in trouble. But I’m very blessed to be able to play this sport,” Hufanga remarked.
Even in a down year in 2024 that limited him just to seven games, the former All-Pro had a strong cohort of suitors in free agency. He could have signed with a lot of other teams who strongly valued his football character, intelligence, and leadership ability. However, after thoughtful consideration and prayer alongside his family, the next chapter of his NFL career will be written in the Mile High City.
“I think for me it was definitely just a great organization first and foremost. People that are willing to buy in to these guys, and they really want to grow,” added Hufanga.
“This defense is incredible. You look from top to bottom, it’s just players. So, for me, I just wanted to humbly come in, earn their respect and join a crew that already did really well last year for sure.”
With his high-energy approach to the game, it shouldn’t take long for him to make a positive mark with...
