San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch recently admitted just how tough it was bidding farewell to some cornerstone pieces during the offseason, part of a large-scale campaign to trim cash spend, get younger and cheaper.
Indeed, the Niners' offseason was tumultuous, and few positions were left unscathed, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
If anything, the Denver Broncos are thankful San Francisco experienced such a tumult.
In a continuously escalating arms race within the AFC West, and to either catch (or at least keep pace with) the conference champion-Kansas City Chiefs, the Broncos aggressively pursued two former 49ers standouts, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga, signing them to lucrative free-agent deals after they failed to remain in the Bay Area.
Turns out, those two may hold the key to Denver emerging not only as the AFC West's top defense, but potentially the top defense in the entire NFL.
Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga could help turn Broncos defense into NFL's best
Led by the league's Defensive Player of the Year, cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos boasted the NFL's third-best scoring defense in 2024 and also the second-best defense in terms of yards per play (4.9), and that was before signing both Greenlaw and Hufanga.
Now, after plucking those two from the Niners, Pro Football Focus' Trevor Sikkema argued Denver might boast the league's top defense entering 2025.
Meanwhile, Sports Illustrated insider (formerly of FanSided) Matt Verderame, directly highlighted both Greenlaw and Hufanga as the reason why Sikkema's argument comes true:
If Hufanga and Greenlaw stay reasonably healthy, the Broncos' defense is the best in football https://t.co/od0nedJaE8
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) June 16, 2025
"Le sigh," say San Francisco fans.
Ironically enough, the 49ers made an 11th-hour attempt to keep Greenlaw from signing in Denver, although that would have meant continuing to play in All-Pro backer Fred Warner's shadow, which apparently was a reason the former wanted out in the first place.
So, if Greenlaw ultimately rises to stardom while running his own show in the Mile High City, it'll be great news for him.
Even if it means the Niners sorely miss the linebacker's presence. And the same goes for Hufanga, whose own playmaking skills will be missed, too.