After a turbulent season in Philadelphia, edge rusher Bryce Huff is set for a new chapter—this time with a familiar face on the West Coast.
Multiple sources, including NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and ESPN’s Adam Schefter, confirm that the Eagles and 49ers are finalizing a trade that will send Huff to San Francisco. The deal is expected to become official after June 1, allowing both teams to manage cap implications more favorably.
Short Stay in Philly Ends Quietly
Huff’s time in Philadelphia never truly clicked. Signed to a three-year, $51.1 million contract during 2024 free agency following a breakout 10-sack season with the Jets, Huff was the Eagles’ marquee offseason signing. But he fell short of expectations under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, logging just 2.5 sacks, 13 tackles, and one forced fumble over 12 games (six starts).
He struggled to fit into Fangio’s system, missed time due to wrist surgery, and was even a healthy scratch in Super Bowl LIX, despite returning in time for the playoffs.
Timing the Trade Right
The June 1 timing of the deal is crucial. If the Eagles were to process the trade before that date, they’d incur $12.1 million in dead cap for 2025 while saving just $4.7 million. By waiting until after June 1, they slash the dead cap hit to $3 million, freeing up $4.4 million in cap space.
Per ESPN’s Field Yates, the Eagles recently restructured Huff’s contract to make the trade easier. They converted a chunk of his guaranteed salary into a signing bonus, making the remaining cost more palatable for the 49ers.
Reuniting with Robert Saleh
Huff may have struggled in Philly, but he now reunites with Robert Saleh, his former head coach from his Jets days. The two worked together from 2021 to 2023, a stretch during which 15.5 of Huff’s 20 career sacks were recorded. With Saleh now the defensive coordinator in San Francisco, the reunion offers Huff a chance to rediscover his best form in a more familiar system.
He’ll be joining a formidable 49ers pass-rushing unit, likely serving as depth behind Nick Bosa and rookie first-rounder Mykel Williams.
What’s Left for the Eagles?
The move leaves Philadelphia thin on edge rushers after also losing Josh Sweat in free agency and Brandon Graham to retirement. The new pass-rush rotation will likely revolve around Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt, and new signings Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. The Eagles also added rookie Antwaun Powell-Ryland and could deploy first-round linebacker Jihaad Campbell in pass-rushing roles.
For general manager Howie Roseman, Huff’s quick departure marks a rare misfire in an otherwise stellar stretch of roster-building that led to a Super Bowl win in 2024.
Final Thoughts
Bryce Huff’s brief tenure in Philadelphia may not have gone as planned, but his exit gives both sides a fresh start. For the Eagles, it’s a salary-cap play and an admission that the scheme fit just wasn’t right. For Huff, it’s a shot at revival under a coach who knows how to get the best out of him.
If Huff can recapture his Jets-era production in San Francisco, this trade could quietly turn into one of the smarter under-the-radar moves of the offseason.
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