The Denver Broncos have been one of the most physical defenses in the NFL over the course of the last two seasons, and with a large number of starters returning in 2026, that standard has not changed.
Denver Broncos defensive standard embraces physicality
Talanoa Hufanga was one of the Denver Broncos’ biggest offseason additions last offseason because of the physicality he plays with at the safety position. He was able to thrive in Vance Joseph’s defense, being an imposing player and helping set the tone.
As he goes into his second year inside of Joseph’s scheme, Hufanga believes that the standard for the defense revolves around their play style rather than just the schematics, even though that’s helped them lead the NFL in sacks in back-to-back seasons.
“I think for us, the message that’s been kind of said is, ‘The standard,’” Hufanga said. “There’s always a standard that you [set], at least for our defense. What does that standard look like? It’s guys being in early, it’s guys staying late, it’s guys studying and it’s guys learning. At the end of the day, it’s really the type of style that you play. The schematics is always going to be down there and that’s game plan to game plan, but what’s the style that you want? I think that’s what coach always refers to us is, ‘The standard.’ It’s guys running to the ball, guys flying, guys finishing plays and being physical. Obviously, we don’t have pads on yet, but being physical players as a defense. That’s what they’ve set as a groundwork here. I was able to be blessed to come into it last year. At the end of the day, you want to push it forward for the guys that are young and new. And it has to restart again. It’s a long journey, but for us, we’re excited to be part of that standard and hopefully we can continue to set it.”
Hufanga’s leadership and experience have fit in seamlessly with Patrick Surtain II, Zach Allen, Nik Bonitto, and Alex Singleton. After falling short in the AFC Championship game last season, the road to get back to that same spot isn’t going to be easy. The coaches know it, and Hufanga and the players know it, but the level of maturity that lives inside of Denver’s culture and locker room is a big reason they feel like they’re equipped to make it back.
I’ve talked to several Broncos defensive players this offseason, and they acknowledged that the road back to the AFC Championship game is much harder coming into this season, but they’re focused on themselves and the task at hand. They’re looking at things on a week-to-week basis and aren’t too concerned with trying to forecast too far ahead, and even though they know the expectations surrounding this team have risen, this roster and Hufanga believe in the process of letting their work speak for itself.
Last year, the Broncos defense struggled to generate takeaways even though they led the NFL in sacks, third-down defense, and red-zone defense. The takeaways didn’t occur as often as they hoped, and it’s been an emphasis for them this offseason.
“For us, it’s just really attacking the ball,” Hufanga said. “Whether it’s in the air or in the ground game. For everybody, it was really just a lack of turnovers… We did a really good job of getting sacks, but how can we get to sacks with a force fumble? Or how can we change this pass deflection into an interception or a tip just to get somebody else an interception? It’s been talked about and it’s been drilled. At the end of the day, guys were working in the offseason to really make sure that’s point of emphasis.”
