In a candid revelation, Bryce Huff, the former Philadelphia Eagles defensive end, opened up about his challenging 2024 season and his subsequent trade to the San Francisco 49ers. Despite being part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl 59-winning team, Huff admitted that his time in Philadelphia was far from ideal, prompting him to seek a trade early in the season. Now with the 49ers, Huff believes he has found the perfect environment to reignite his career and return to the form that made him one of the NFL’s top pass rushers.
Huff’s journey to Philadelphia began with high expectations. After a breakout 2023 season with the New York Jets, where he recorded an impressive 10.5 sacks, the undrafted free agent signed a lucrative three-year, $51 million contract with the Eagles as part of the Haason Reddick trade. The deal, with an average annual value (AAV) of $17 million, placed immense pressure on Huff to perform. However, his 2024 season was marred by struggles, including a wrist injury that sidelined him for five games. Across 12 regular-season games, he managed only 2.5 sacks and failed to record a sack or tackle in the postseason, ultimately being inactive for Super Bowl 59.
Speaking on The SFNiners podcast on July 1, Huff didn’t hold back about his dissatisfaction in Philadelphia. “If I’m being 100% honest with you, I wanted a trade like fairly early on,” he said. “Just ‘cause of how things went in Philly, I knew pretty early on it wasn’t a fit.” While he refrained from delving into specifics, Huff’s comments suggest a disconnect with the team’s system or environment. “There’s a plethora of things that went down. I don’t wanna get into specifics,” he added. “Being in the league for five years, I kinda knew what it felt like for me to be in a good situation.”
Realizing a midseason trade was unlikely due to his hefty contract, Huff confided in his agent about his desire to move on. “I knew a trade wasn’t going to happen during the season,” he explained. “But I was like, ‘Yeah, when it’s all said and done, I might need to step, just to put myself in the best position to ball out and have a fruitful career.’”
Huff’s wish was granted during the offseason when he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, a move that has him brimming with excitement. The trade reunited him with Robert Saleh, his former defensive coordinator with the Jets, who now serves in the same role with the 49ers. Saleh was instrumental in Huff’s development during his time in New York, where he transformed from an undrafted free agent into a top-tier pass rusher, leading the league in pressure rate and win rate. “Coach Saleh did a great job lining all that up for us in New York, and I saw a lot of guys elevate themselves throughout my three years with them,” Huff said. “So, I’m extremely excited to be back here in San Fran.”
Reflecting on his underwhelming season in Philadelphia, Huff acknowledged, “I know last year wasn’t my best season at all in Philly, and I had a lot of stuff going down.” However, the move to San Francisco has reinvigorated him. “I’ve been here working with the same staff that took me from a basic player to, like, top of the league in pressure rate, top of the league in win rate, sacks, and whatnot,” he said. “I’ve been here putting in the same work that I put in all those years this summer, and I’m gonna be here until the first day of camp.”
For Huff, the 49ers represent more than just a new team—they feel like home. The familiarity of Saleh’s defensive scheme and the support of a performance staff that helped him achieve career-best numbers have set the stage for a potential comeback season in 2025. As the 49ers prepare to face tough competition, including a Chiefs team chasing a Super Bowl three-peat, Huff is eager to prove he’s back where he belongs. “I’m excited to see how everything plays out this year with being back in Coach Saleh’s scheme,” he said.
Huff’s story is one of resilience and self-awareness. Recognizing that Philadelphia wasn’t the right fit, he took steps to find an environment where he could thrive. Now, with the 49ers, he’s ready to show the NFL what he’s capable of when he’s in the right system. For San Francisco fans, Huff’s arrival signals the addition of a motivated, high-upside player ready to make an impact—and perhaps reclaim his status as one of the league’s premier pass rushers.