Bo Nix has brought a noticeable shift to the Denver Broncos’ culture, and it didn’t take long for new All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga to recognize it.
After signing with Denver in free agency following his time with the 49ers, Hufanga credited Nix—now entering his second year—as a key reason for joining the team. In a conversation with former Broncos receiver and Super Bowl champ Bennie Fowler, Hufanga emphasized that the team has something “special,” with Nix at the heart of it.
“He’s the reason,” Hufanga said during a May 1 appearance on the “DNVR Broncos” podcast. “Oh, yeah. Most definitely. He reached out right away. I saw him the day I signed, and we got to chop it up. He’s just a gamer. A lot of people doubted him as a rookie, but he came out and balled. That’s what I love.”
Hufanga also mentioned that his former 49ers teammate Dre Greenlaw, now also with the Broncos, shared his enthusiasm about playing alongside a quarterback like Nix.
“When you’ve got a QB who can really play, it makes a difference,” Hufanga explained. “You’re not going three-and-out all the time, and that gives the defense a chance. We saw real potential here. So why not come here and be part of the change? But he’s the reason.”
“The atmosphere has changed a lot over the past few years,” Talanoa Hufanga said, reflecting on the Denver Broncos’ recent transformation. “Just seeing what they went through, and then having a guy like Bo \[Nix] come in and do what he does, and the way he works. I’ve just been around it so far in OTAs — the dude hustles.”
Hufanga added, “Love it, excited to work with him, and excited to, hopefully, go the distance.”
Bo Nix Proving Worth Off the Field
Bo Nix’s impact on the Denver Broncos continues to resonate beyond the field, playing a major role in the team’s successful offseason. Safety Talanoa Hufanga recently became the second major free agent to credit Nix for influencing his decision to sign with Denver. Hufanga praised Nix’s leadership and work ethic during OTAs, calling him “a gamer” and the driving force behind the team’s renewed energy.
“He’s the reason,” Hufanga said, noting how Nix immediately reached out after his signing and made a strong impression with his commitment and presence. “The atmosphere has changed a lot… The dude hustles. Love it, excited to work with him, and excited to, hopefully, go the distance.”
Nix also played a key role in recruiting Pro Bowl tight end Evan Engram, staying in regular contact throughout his free agency process. “Yeah, we were in contact with him throughout the whole deal,” Nix told Altitude Sports’ Vic Lombardi in March. Engram later spoke on the DNVR Broncos podcast about how Nix impressed him during his visit. “He has everything that it takes to be great in this league,” Engram said. “The way the coaches talk about him really meant a lot to me. Really excited to get to work with Bo. He has a bright future.”
Nix’s breakout rookie season only solidified his influence. The 2024 No. 12 overall pick led the Broncos to a 10-7 record, their first playoff appearance since 2015, while throwing for 3,775 yards, 29 touchdowns, and completing 66.3% of his passes. On a rookie contract, Nix provides the Broncos not just a franchise quarterback, but the financial flexibility to build around him. According to Over The Cap, he holds just the 37th-highest QB salary in the NFL, giving Denver room to sign top-tier talents like Engram, Hufanga, and linebacker Dre Greenlaw.
With OTAs set for May 27–29, the Broncos are clearly capitalizing on what many are calling “the Bo Nix effect.”
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