The AFC West HATES What The Denver Broncos Are Doing In NFL Free Agency
The Denver Broncos have made a seismic impact on the 2025 NFL Free Agency period, and the rest of the AFC West is fuming. On the first day alone, the Broncos managed to land two major defensive stars from the San Francisco 49ers—safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw—on deals that are absolute steals compared to what other players at their positions are getting paid. This isn’t just a strong start to free agency; it’s a declaration of war against the rest of the division.
Denver’s Defense Just Became Elite
The Broncos’ defense was already a nightmare to deal with in 2024, but with these two new additions, they may have just elevated themselves to one of the best defensive units in the entire league. Hufanga, a 2022 All-Pro safety, brings elite playmaking ability, having recorded five tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, four interceptions, and two forced fumbles in his best season. Despite battling injuries in the last two years, if he stays healthy, his impact in Denver will be massive.
Meanwhile, Greenlaw has been one of the most underrated linebackers in the NFL. Before his Achilles injury last season, he was a key piece in San Francisco’s defense, and his absence in the Super Bowl was felt tremendously. When healthy, Greenlaw is a dynamic force, and pairing him with Alex Singleton gives Denver one of the most formidable linebacker duos in the league.
AFC West Rivals Are Worried
The Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, and Las Vegas Raiders all have reasons to panic. The Broncos are executing a clear strategy that’s built around one main goal—shutting down Patrick Mahomes. The blueprint to beating the Chiefs was made clear in the Super Bowl: rush four, drop seven into coverage, and make life miserable for Mahomes. The Broncos now have the personnel to execute that plan to perfection.
With a defensive line that already led the league in sacks last year, adding a dominant linebacker like Greenlaw and a game-changing safety like Hufanga only solidifies Denver’s ability to shut down high-powered offenses. Players like Jonathan Cooper and Nik Bonitto, who both recorded 10+ sack seasons in 2024, will now have even more freedom to attack the quarterback with Hufanga patrolling the secondary.
Depth Across the Board
What makes Denver’s defense truly terrifying isn’t just the talent at the top—it’s the depth at every position. Zack Allen is due for a massive contract extension, and alongside D.J. Jones, John Franklin-Myers, and emerging pass rushers like rookie Jonah Ellis and Deandre Tillman, the Broncos’ front five is an absolute menace.
In the secondary, Pat Surtain II is arguably the best cornerback in football, while Riley Moss and Ja’Quan McMillian continue to develop into reliable playmakers. With Hufanga now leading the safety group alongside Brandon Jones, this unit might be Denver’s strongest since the legendary “No Fly Zone” era.
Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders: You Have a Problem
The Broncos have been in rebuilding mode for years, but these free agency moves signal that they are ready to compete—now. The Chiefs, who have dominated the division for nearly a decade, now face a Denver defense designed specifically to make Mahomes’ life miserable. The Chargers and Raiders, both struggling to find consistency, are now looking up at a Broncos team that is not only well-coached but loaded with young, ascending defensive talent.
The biggest concern for Denver is health. Hufanga and Greenlaw have both dealt with injuries, but if they can stay on the field, this could be one of the best defensive free-agent hauls in recent NFL history. The Broncos didn’t just improve—they may have built a championship-caliber defense.
The AFC West teams better brace themselves. The Denver Broncos are coming, and they’re bringing a defense that could wreak havoc across the league for years to come.
