The Denver Broncos may have landed one of the best deals in free agency this offseason when they signed former San Francisco 49ers safety Talanoa Hufanga. Now, Hufanga is drawing comparisons to one the most legendary players in team history and he has caught his attention.
While speaking to Troy Renck of The Denver Post, former Broncos safety Steve Atwater lauded Hufanga's style of play.
“I see it and I love it. You can’t worry about what might happen when you are trying to make the tackle. You just have to do it. He absolutely brings it, said Atwater.
That's high praise for one of the hardest-hitting safeties in NFL history, one fondly remembered for this punishing hit on Kansas City Chiefs running back Christian Okoye.
The Broncos have a rich history at the safety position that includes Steve Foley, Dennis Smith, Brian Dawkins and John Lynch. But Atwater was unanimously the best and he was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
Hufanga may have been the most exciting free-agent acquisition made by the Broncos this offseason. He has dealt with some injuries, but he already has a Pro Bowl and First-team All-Pro selection to his name.
If he can play anywhere close to the level that Atwater displayed in Denver, he will add to what was already a good defense.
The Broncos signed Hufanga to a three-year deal worth up to $45 million this offseason. Make no mistake, the 49ers did not want to lose him, they just weren't in a position to match that kind of offer.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the Broncos had the best safety combination in the NFL with Atwater and Smith. If that could be duplicated with Hufanga and last year's top free-agent signing, Brandon Jones, then the team is well on its way to getting the same kind of top-tier safety play that the franchise has enjoyed in the past.
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