In a stunning move that has left NFL fans reeling, the Philadelphia Eagles have traded edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick, which could become a fourth-rounder based on performance. The trade, finalized after June 1, 2025, marks the end of a disappointing one-year stint for Huff in Philadelphia, where he struggled to find his footing in Vic Fangio’s defensive scheme. For the 49ers, however, this acquisition is being hailed as a potential steal, reuniting Huff with his former coach Robert Saleh and positioning him to reclaim his 2023 form as one of the league’s most efficient pass rushers.
A Misfit in Philly
Huff, 27, joined the Eagles in 2024 as their marquee free-agent signing, inking a three-year, $51.1 million deal after a breakout 2023 season with the New York Jets. That year, under then-head coach Robert Saleh, Huff recorded a career-high 10 sacks and a league-leading 21.8% pass-rush pressure rate, despite playing just 42% of defensive snaps. The Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory, hoped Huff would blossom into an every-down edge defender to replace Haason Reddick, who was traded to the Jets.
However, the marriage between Huff and Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio was far from harmonious. Fangio’s scheme, which emphasizes versatile, stand-up edge defenders capable of dropping into coverage, didn’t align with Huff’s strengths as a pure pass-rush specialist. Early in training camp, Fangio was blunt about Huff’s limitations, stating, “Does he look like he can [play every down] today? No. I do think he eventually will.” Unfortunately, that potential never materialized.
Huff’s 2024 season was marred by struggles and a midseason wrist injury that sidelined him for five games. He finished with just 2.5 sacks and 13 tackles in 12 games, playing only 39% of defensive snaps. His lack of impact was evident in the playoffs, where he saw just 13 snaps across two games and was a healthy scratch for the Eagles’ Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Fangio later attributed Huff’s struggles to the injury, noting that a cast rendered his hand and arm “useless,” but teammate Brandon Graham pointed to a deeper issue: a schematic mismatch. “It just wasn’t a great marriage,” Graham said on the Ross Tucker Podcast. “With the Jets, it was that 4-3, wide-nine, go get it… what they asked of [Huff] this year, it just wasn’t [right].”
A Fresh Start in San Francisco
For the 49ers, acquiring Huff is a low-risk, high-reward move that bolsters a defensive line undergoing a significant overhaul. San Francisco lost key contributors like Javon Hargrave, Maliek Collins, and Leonard Floyd in free agency, leaving star Nick Bosa as the only guaranteed starter. The team drafted defensive end Mykel Williams (11th overall) and tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West, but adding a proven veteran like Huff provides much-needed depth and pass-rush juice.
Huff’s reunion with Robert Saleh, now the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, is a key factor in the optimism surrounding this trade. Saleh, who coached Huff during his breakout 2023 season with the Jets, runs a 4-3, wide-nine scheme that perfectly suits Huff’s skill set. Unlike Fangio’s system, which demanded run defense and coverage versatility, Saleh’s approach allows Huff to focus on what he does best: rushing the passer on third downs. In 2023, Huff thrived in this role, amassing 68 pressures on just 312 pass-rush snaps. Fans and analysts alike are buzzing about the potential for Huff to rediscover that form alongside Bosa, with one X post predicting, “Huff could easily hit 8.5+ sacks in Saleh’s system.”
The financials of the deal also favor the 49ers. Philadelphia restructured Huff’s contract, converting $9.05 million of his $16.75 million 2025 salary into a signing bonus, leaving San Francisco responsible for just $7.95 million. In return, the Eagles save $7.95 million in cash and create over $15 million in 2025 cap space, though they absorb $9.05 million in dead money.
Fan Reaction: Shock and Opportunity
NFL fans have taken to X to express their disbelief at the Eagles’ decision to part ways with a player of Huff’s upside for a modest draft pick. “How do you let a guy with a 21.8% pressure rate walk for a fifth-rounder?” one user posted. “Saleh’s gonna turn him into a monster again.” Others questioned Eagles GM Howie Roseman’s initial investment, with one fan writing, “$51M for one year and 2.5 sacks? That’s a brutal miss, even for a Super Bowl champ.”
On the 49ers’ side, excitement is palpable. “Huff opposite Bosa in a wide-nine? Good luck, NFC West QBs,” one fan tweeted. Another added, “Saleh knows exactly how to use him. This is highway robbery.” The consensus among 49ers fans is that Huff, at his best, is a “hidden gem” who can provide situational pass-rush production and complement San Francisco’s young defensive line.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
For the Eagles, moving on from Huff signals confidence in their retooled edge rusher group. With Josh Sweat signing with the Arizona Cardinals and Brandon Graham retiring, Philadelphia is banking on young players like Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, who showed promise in 2024, to step up. The team also signed veterans Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche and drafted Antwaun Powell-Ryland in the sixth round. First-round pick Jihaad Campbell, a versatile linebacker with pass-rush ability, could also see snaps on the edge. Fangio remains optimistic, stating, “I think we’ll be fine,” despite the loss of Huff and other key contributors.
The 49ers, meanwhile, are positioning Huff for a bounce-back year in a familiar system. Playing alongside Bosa and competing with rookie Mykel Williams for snaps, Huff is expected to thrive in a rotational role, likely seeing around 30-40% of defensive snaps, primarily on passing downs. If he can approach his 2023 production, the trade could be a coup for San Francisco, who desperately needed pass-rush help after a lackluster 2024 season.
A Win-Win Trade?
While the Eagles’ decision to trade Huff is a rare admission of defeat for Roseman, it’s a pragmatic move that frees up cap space and a roster spot for players better suited to Fangio’s system. For the 49ers, landing a player with Huff’s proven pass-rush ability for a mid-round pick and a manageable salary is a savvy addition to a defense looking to regain its dominance. As one X user put it, “One team’s bust is another team’s treasure.” Time will tell if Huff can rediscover his spark in San Francisco, but for now, NFL fans are left stunned at the Eagles’ willingness to let a potential game-changer slip away.