In a move that stunned the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles have parted ways with edge rusher Bryce Huff, trading the former New York Jets standout to the San Francisco 49ers for a late-round draft pick, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday afternoon. The trade marks the end of a disappointing single-season experiment for Huff in Philadelphia, a move that quickly became one of the Eagles’ most regrettable decisions in their current era of dominance.
Huff, who signed a three-year, $51 million contract with the Eagles last offseason, reworked his deal to facilitate the trade. Now, he heads to San Francisco, where he will reunite with his former Jets head coach, Robert Saleh, who recently joined the 49ers as their defensive coordinator after a four-year stint with New York.
A product of Memphis, Huff thrived in Saleh’s wide-nine defensive scheme during his time with the Jets, racking up an impressive 10 sacks in 2023 alone and totaling 17.5 sacks over four seasons with Gang Green. The Eagles had hoped Huff would replicate that pass-rushing prowess in Philadelphia, but the fit was far from ideal. Struggling to adapt to Vic Fangio’s defensive system, particularly in run defense, Huff managed just 2.5 sacks in 2024. His season was further hampered by injuries, and he was notably a healthy scratch during the Eagles’ triumphant Super Bowl LIX victory.
Since the Super Bowl win, Huff has been noticeably absent from the team, skipping all offseason workouts in a clear signal that he sought a fresh start elsewhere. The Eagles, in turn, have capitalized on the trade, reportedly saving over $15 million in cap space this offseason while removing Huff’s contract from their books entirely after the 2025 season.
For Huff, the move to San Francisco offers a chance to return to a system that suits his skill set. Under Saleh’s familiar guidance, the 49ers provide an ideal landing spot for the pass-rushing specialist to rediscover the form that made him a double-digit sack artist. As the Eagles continue to streamline their roster and cap situation, this trade serves as a bold step to move on from a high-profile misstep, while Huff gets the opportunity to reignite his career with a contending team.