New Denver Broncos safety Talanoa Hufanga got a three-year contract from the team worth up to $45 million this offseason.
And after the Broncos wrapped up their first week of OTAs on Thursday, Hufanga met with the media for the first time since inking the deal.
It’s safe to say he’s thrilled to be in Denver, ready to join a Broncos defense that was very strong for large parts of the 2024 NFL season.
“Definitely just a great organization, first and foremost. People that are willing to buy in to these guys, they really want to grow. This defense is incredible. You look, from top to bottom, it’s just players,” Hufanga said. “I just wanted to humbly come in, earn the respect, and join a crew that already did really well last year.”
The Broncos finished seventh in the league in yards allowed per game (317.1), first in sacks (63) and third in the fewest points per game allowed (18.3).
Vance Joseph’s unit had a tough December and then couldn’t go off the field in the playoffs against the Bills, but there was still a lot to be encouraged about. Adding players like Hufanga and Greenlaw, both from the 49ers, as well as cornerback Jahdae Barron in the NFL Draft, should make them even better.
Still, there is an injury history with Talanoa Hufanga that is a little worrisome. He only played in 10 games in 2023 before suffering a torn ACL, and just seven last year after battling a wrist problem.
He’s healthy now and isn’t thinking about that moving forward, knowing those things happen in football.
“(Former NFL safety) Troy Polamalu always tells me ‘it’s a 100 percent injury rate, regardless.’ For you to go in, you’ve got to understand what comes with it. Every injury that came along, I think it’s just a testament to who I am, to battle through adversity through those moments. It’s something that I’m taking in and wear on my sleeve when I go out on that field,” Hufanga said.
That’s the correct attitude from Talanoa Hufanga, as both those setbacks are in the past.
Now, the Broncos expect big things from him in 2025 and beyond. He’s ready to do his part, hopefully making Denver’s defense the best in the NFL this upcoming season.