Sean Payton explains why the Broncos signed safety Taylor Rapp

The Denver Broncos shored up their safety depth last week when they brought in veteran Taylor Rapp. Denver has a strong pair of starting safeties in Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones, but not much depth behind them.

That said, Broncos coach Sean Payton downplayed the notion of bringing Rapp in to fix a depth issue.

“[He’s a] veteran player we liked, had good grades on and just more talent at that position,” Payton said after Monday’s practice. “It was really more… It wasn’t like us pounding the table, ‘We need a safety.’ It was, ‘Hey, this player’s available,’ and ‘Let’s work him out and sign him if possible.’ So I’m glad he’s here. We’ve had experience playing against him. … I think it was more availability than necessity, if that makes sense.”

Rapp is an eighth-year veteran with Super Bowl experience and a nose for the football. Rapp comes to the Broncos with 488 career tackles, 31 pass breakups and 12 interceptions in 93 games (72 starts) to his name. Those 12 interceptions are a crucial number, as there were several dropped turnovers from the safety position in 2025. Payton says those instincts are what set Rapp apart.

“He has real good football instincts and awareness that serves you well at that position,” Payton said.

Despite coming off a season-ending injury as a member of the Buffalo Bills in 2025, Rapp is a player who can be a cover player, and a sure tackler when needed.

If either Hufanga or Jones are ever unavailable, or even if Rapp comes in as a rotational player, the Broncos now have three capable, high-caliber players at the safety position heading into the season.

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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Sean Payton explains why the Broncos signed safety Taylor Rapp