The Denver Broncos have a storied history of safeties and cornerbacks donning the orange and blue. Whether it be via the draft or through free agency, the franchise has done well over the years finding players at both positions that compete at a high level on the backend of their defense.
In the 2025 free agency period, one of the Broncos’ first big splashes was signing safety Talanoa Hufanga away from the San Francisco 49ers. A former All-Pro and Pro-Bowl player in 2022, Hufanga battled injuries
in 2023 and 2024 that limited his impact and potential. Nevertheless, the former USC Standout earned a lucrative three-year deal with up to $45 million with $20 million in total guaranteed money.
Hufanga’s first year in the Mile High City was productive. He stayed healthy for the entire season and started every game. Overall, he posted 106 tackles, 11 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble, and 2 sacks. Entering his second season with the Broncos, I’m a firm believer Hufanga will have an even larger impact for Denver in 2026. Let’s discuss.
Player Profile
Age: 27 | Experience: Sixth Year | College: USC | Height: 6’0” | Weight: 200 pounds
2025 Statistics: 17 games played with 17 starts. 106 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 11 pass deflections.
Talanoa Hufanga’s 2026 outlook with the Broncos
Hufanga is slated to be the starter opposite of Brandon Jones at safety once again for the Broncos. While most pundits and analysts rank Denver’s backend duo outside of the top ten, I believe they are one of the more diverse and consistent pairings in the NFL.
In coverage in ’25, Hufanga allowed just 60-percent of passes his direction to be completed—the second-best mark of his career. I thought he was fundamentally sound in that regard and only allowed three touchdowns through the air. Additionally, his 106 tackles were the most of his career. That ranked second on the Broncos defense last season behind only linebacker Alex Singleton.
From Day 1, Hufanga’s versatility and fiery on the field demeanor were a huge asset for the Broncos’ defense. His on the field temperament is palpable. The aggression and penchant for tone-setting hits were an important addition to Vance Joseph’s defense last season. That will continue for the upcoming season.
One area of improvement would be generating more turnovers. While Hufanga had a career high 11 pass deflections, he didn’t register any interceptions last season and dropped nearly a half a dozen. If he can create more takeaways, it wouldn’t be a surprise for him to once again earn Pro-Bowl or All-Pro accolades.
Final Thoughts
Hufanga was a key addition for the Broncos’ defense last year. He is a well-rounded player that performs strongly in coverage and has a nose for the football in run support. I strongly believe he is poised to have a better season in ‘26 with the Broncos than he did last year.
