Former San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga may now be suiting up for the Denver Broncos, but his appreciation for his former teammates hasn't faded. Speaking to media members, Hufanga singled out star tight end George Kittle as one of the best teammates he has ever played alongside.
"Truly a testament to him, just putting the work [in]," Hufanga said. "You know, he's a guy that has fun in the offseason and does what he does, but at the end of the day, he's going to get his work in."
This became even more true this year after Kittle's two-touchdown performance in Week 3 following a grueling Achilles tear recovery for the veteran. Seeing Kittle bounce back and continue to dominate left his former teammate in awe.
"For a guy to come back after
eight months, I was shocked to see him over here scoring touchdowns. It's pretty real," Hufanga said. "Just excited for him and his success, because he's a guy that's just infectious in that locker room."
"One of my favorite teammates I've ever played with."
— Matt Lively (@mattblively) October 1, 2026
Talanoa Hufanga on #49ers TE George Kittle who he will face this week. pic.twitter.com/JVezDwbHMa
Hufanga knows firsthand what kind of relentless dedication Kittle brings to the gridiron. Selected by the 49ers in the fifth round (180th overall) out of USC in 2021, Hufanga spent four productive seasons in San Francisco with Kittle, playing 49 games with 37 starts. His sensational 2022 breakout campaign featured 97 tackles, four interceptions, a Pro Bowl nod, and first-team All-Pro honors. Though injuries limited him to 10 games in 2023 and seven in 2024, Hufanga was right alongside Kittle through the highs and lows of the Shanahan era before ultimately moving on to Denver in free agency.
While Hufanga is busy anchoring a new defense in Denver, his bond with the 49ers' culture remains strong, serving as a reminder of the lasting connections forged in the Bay Area.
This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Ex-49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga heaps praise on George Kittle
