The San Francisco 49ers made sweeping changes to the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Not only did they bring back former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for the same role, but they also revamped the roster on that end of the field. And, it looks like they are not done adding, either.
Despite selecting Mykel Williams with their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the 49ers targeted another pass rusher on the trade market. On Friday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers were sending a mid-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for Bryce Huff.
49ers Pull Off Trade to Reunite Robert Saleh With Bryce Huff
ESPN sources: 49ers and Eagles are working to finalize a trade that will send edge rusher Bryce Huff to San Francisco for a mid-round pick. The trade cannot and would not be processed until after June 1. But both sides are working to make it happen, and Huff already has reworked… pic.twitter.com/FJeGc9Cfwx
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 30, 2025
Bryce Huff, 27, was once a raw gem unearthed by Robert Saleh during his time with the New York Jets. In the 2023 season, Huff reached the peak of his career, recording 10 sacks and leading the NFL in quarterback pressure win rate (21.8%). This stellar performance earned him a three-year, $51.1 million contract with the Eagles in 2024. However, things didn’t go as planned in Philadelphia. Huff managed only 2.5 sacks in 12 games, hampered by a wrist injury, and was even benched during the Super Bowl. He faded into the background of the Eagles’ plans, leading many to brand him as “washed-up” after once showing so much promise.
The 49ers’ acquisition of Huff is not just an effort to bolster their defensive line but also a gamble by Robert Saleh, who previously served as the Jets’ head coach and has returned to San Francisco as defensive coordinator. Saleh believes his 4-3 defensive scheme, built around the philosophy of “stopping the run on the way to the quarterback,” will help Huff rediscover his peak form. In the 49ers’ current lineup, Huff won’t be required to play every down but will focus on his role as a pass-rush specialist, complementing stars like Nick Bosa and rookie Mykel Williams. This approach reduces pressure on Huff while serving as insurance in case Williams doesn’t develop as expected.
However, the trade is not without controversy. Huff has clear weaknesses in run defense, ranked 102nd out of 112 edge rushers by Pro Football Focus last season. If the 49ers misuse him beyond his pass-rush specialist role, their defensive line could struggle, especially since the team has heavily invested in improving their run defense this offseason. Fans worry this is a risky move, particularly after the 49ers’ 6-11 record last season, when the team desperately needs safe decisions to return to contender status.
Fan Reactions
The 49ers fanbase on social media is abuzz with debate over the trade. Some are optimistic, arguing that the cost for Huff—a mid-round pick and $7.95 million in salary for 2025—is reasonable for a player who thrived under Saleh. One X post even called it a “steal,” noting that the 49ers leveraged two other cap-clearing moves to accommodate Huff’s contract. However, skepticism abounds, with many believing the team is banking too much on a player who flopped with the Eagles. One X user wrote, “This trade is a gamble. Huff could bounce back, but if not, we’ve wasted a pick and cap space.”
Saleh and the “Jets-49ers Pipeline”
The Bryce Huff trade is part of a broader trend of bringing former Jets players and staff to San Francisco. In addition to Huff, the 49ers have added special teams coordinator Brant Boyer, linebacker Chazz Surratt, punter Thomas Morstead, and kicker Greg Joseph from the Jets this season. This reflects head coach Kyle Shanahan’s strong trust in Saleh and his system. However, the heavy reliance on ex-Jets raises questions: Is Saleh trying to recreate his old Jets roster instead of building a new defense tailored to the 49ers?
The 49ers’ Future
With Huff’s addition, alongside rookie Mykel Williams and star Nick Bosa, the 49ers’ defensive line promises to be more formidable in the 2025-26 season. However, the success of this trade hinges on whether Saleh can work his 2023 magic with Huff again. If Huff regains his form, the 49ers will have a fearsome weapon on their defensive front. Conversely, if he continues to struggle, this could become a costly misstep that further frustrates fans.
This trade is a high-stakes bet, but in football, bold decisions sometimes lead to unexpected success. 49ers fans can only wait and hope that Bryce Huff proves he’s far from “washed-up.”