Broncos Sign 49ers All-Pro Defender In Blockbuster Free Agency Move

The Denver Broncos are signing San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million.

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Hufanga's contract reportedly includes $20 million guaranteed at the signing. This is the first time the safety has entered free agency in his career.

The biggest concern surrounding Hufanga's prospects in free agency was his injury history in recent years. The former 49ers safety has been limited to just 17 games over the last two seasons, but his defensive prowess was evident when healthy.

When Hufanga was sidelined in 2023 with a torn ACL, general manager John Lynch said players like him are hard to replace.

"First of all, with Huf, I mean, those types of guys are hard to replace," Lynch said. "I think he just plays with an energy, with a passion. He's an instinctive player. He's a playmaker. He gives a lot to our defense, and he's made so many plays. He fires up our stadium. He fires up our players."

Since 2022, the All-Pro has 19 runs stops and seven interceptions. Hufanga plays best in a defined coverage scheme, and his elite play was why he was ranked the 11th-best defender on the market.

Hufanga was a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, but it was always unlikely he would return to the team that drafted him.

In 2024, Hufanga appeared in seven games and recorded 38 tackles, including two for loss.

Throughout his career in San Francisco, the 25-year-old amassed 219 tackles including nine for loss, six quarterback hits, two sacks, 14 passes defended, seven interceptions, and a defensive touchdown over four NFL seasons.

His best performance came in 2022 when he recorded 97 tackles, four interceptions, and a score. Hufanga's stat line earned him first-team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl appearance.

The 49ers are also in jeopardy of losing star linebacker Dre Greenlaw. Aside from San Francisco, three other teams are reportedly interested in signing Greenlaw. The Broncos are reportedly one of the three teams in the mix for the linebacker.

"We're very interested in having Dre back," Lynch said. "Those are one of those deals, this time of year. We've had more time to do planning, but no matter how much planning you do, it always seems to everyone -- Dre should go out and see what's out there, and we know where we have to be."

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