The Denver Broncos were one of the top defensive teams last season, and even though they lost some key players, they still have an opportunity to have an even better defensive core this season. The success of Denver’s defense depends on who best steps up to lead it. Safety Talanoa Hufanga has been taking steps to grow as a player and could be at the forefront of the Broncos’ defense in 2026. Now it’s time to look at what Hufanga has done to potentially be one of the team’s biggest defensive leaders before the start of the season.
Hufanga recognizes he has one of the most important roles in helping the Broncos defense elevate this season
The Broncos had one of the best defenses last year, but just as Vance Joseph mentioned, none of that matters now. Denver still needs to work on a lot of things if it wants to be even better on defense than it was last season, especially given Hufanga’s struggles with interceptions.
“A lot of what [Joseph] did put on the board was me; I left a lot out there in terms of interceptions,” Hufanga said. “And that’s exactly what he preached, this year [the importance of] taking the ball away, we did well on third downs and sacks and different things like that, but when we look at the lack of production it starts with me, I [have] to lead that better.”
Accountability is another aspect of leadership Hufanga has adopted, as he’s already been putting in the work to improve at hauling in interceptions this season. At the same time, he also explained how his wrist surgery is what made it difficult for him to intercept the football, but he still isn’t using the surgery as an excuse.
“I got back on the jugs; I’d say the reason why I couldn’t get on the jugs last year, I was coming off my wrist surgery,” Hufanga said. “It came from wearing a club during the game, and that was really uncomfortable; my hand-eye coordination was not great, but that isn’t an excuse, so I own up to it and I [have] to be better for the team.”
Being in the same defense for another year is boosting Hufanga’s confidence
Hufanga, being in the same defensive system heading into this season, has become more comfortable making the right calls and putting his teammates in good position. He’s also getting in the habit of continuing to learn.
“The confidence that I have just to actually make the right calls, a lot of the times when I was here during OTA’s it was looking to [Brandon Jones], [Pat Surtain II], like what are we running right here, I’m still learning the defense,” Hufanga said. “For me, it’s [being] able to put guys in the right position. [Joseph] puts us out here for a reason; it’s practice, make new mistakes, and come out here and be the person you want to be and learn from it.”
Hufanga is already helping out fellow safety and rookie Miles Scott
Miles Scott is one of the Broncos’ newest additions at safety as the team selected him 246th overall in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft out of Illinois. In the short time he’s been in Denver, Hufanga sees Scott’s ambition to learn from a veteran like himself.
“I’m a very lead-by-example person; I’m kind of one of those guys that slowly puts myself in a position to help,” Hufanga said. “So if [Scott] wants to learn from me, I will gladly help him, which he has.”
Within his first week as a Bronco, Scott carved out time to watch film with Hufanga and picked his brain about aspects of Hufanga’s approach to being a professional football player.
“It was cool; the first week I texted him, he’s like, can we watch film when he gets here, what does your routine look like, so he’s already willing to want it,” Hufanga said. “For him, he’s more than willing to be available, and he’s asked a lot of great questions.”
Main Photo: [Ron Chenoy] – Imagn Images
