The Philadelphia Eagles are reeling, and it’s not just their lackluster performance on the field that’s raising eyebrows. After just two games into the 2025 NFL season, the Eagles are grappling with a glaring void at edge rusher—a position that, just a year ago, seemed like a strength. The finger of blame is pointing squarely at General Manager Howie Roseman, whose decision to trade away pass-rush specialist Bryce Huff in a shocking move is now being labeled a “historic mistake” by analysts and fans alike.
In March 2024, the Eagles made waves by signing Bryce Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million free-agent contract, fresh off a career-best season with the New York Jets where he racked up 10.0 sacks and 21 quarterback hits. The move was heralded as a coup for Roseman, pairing Huff with Josh Sweat, another elite edge rusher who led the Eagles in sacks and helped them secure a Super Bowl victory. But fast forward to 2025, and both players are gone—Sweat to the Arizona Cardinals on a four-year, $76.4 million deal, and Huff traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a mere conditional 2026 fifth-round pick.
Huff’s tenure in Philadelphia was nothing short of disastrous. Playing under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, Huff struggled mightily, finishing the 2024 season with just 2.5 sacks and 4 quarterback hits while missing five games due to wrist surgery. He was even a healthy scratch for the Super Bowl, a humiliating low for a player who had just inked a massive contract. Critics argue that Fangio’s system, which attempted to convert Huff into an outside linebacker, was a catastrophic mismatch for his skill set.
“The Eagles made a mistake,” NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said bluntly. “He’s not a linebacker. He’s a pass-rush specialist. He’s gotta put his hand in the dirt. They tried to make him something he’s not in Philadelphia, and it backfired spectacularly.
Since landing with the 49ers, Huff has looked like the dominant force he was during his four years with the Jets under head coach Robert Saleh. In Week 2, he sealed a victory over the New Orleans Saints with a clutch fourth-quarter strip sack, showcasing the explosive edge-rushing ability that made him a coveted free agent. Pro Football Focus has taken notice, grading Huff at an impressive 81.3 overall through two games, ranking him 15th out of 147 players at his position. His six quarterback pressures place him among the NFL’s elite, a stark contrast to his lackluster performance in Philly.
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“Robert Saleh knows what Huff is,” Baldinger added. “He’s closing out games like Nick Bosa did. The 49ers now have a lethal one-two punch on the edge, something the Eagles desperately lack.”
Huff didn’t hold back when reflecting on his time with the Eagles. In an interview with The SFNiners YouTube Channel after his trade, he hinted at deep dissatisfaction with his situation in Philadelphia. “There’s a plethora of things that went down,” Huff said, choosing his words carefully. “Being in the league for five years, I know what a good situation feels like. I could sense where things were headed early on—probably even in training camp. When the trade happened, it was like, ‘Yeah, let’s get to work.’”
Huff’s comments have only fueled the firestorm surrounding Roseman’s decision to part ways with him so quickly. Fans and analysts are now questioning whether the Eagles’ front office misjudged Huff’s potential or failed to adapt their defensive scheme to maximize his talents.
The backlash against Roseman has been relentless. Social media platforms like X are buzzing with fans and pundits calling the trade a “colossal blunder” and branding Roseman an “idiot” for letting a $51 million investment slip away for pennies on the dollar. The Eagles’ defense, once a formidable unit, now lacks the edge-rushing prowess that Sweat and Huff once provided. With no clear replacement in sight, Philadelphia’s Super Bowl aspirations are looking shakier by the week.
As the 49ers reap the rewards of Huff’s resurgence, the Eagles are left to ponder what might have been. Roseman’s gamble to move on from a proven pass rusher has backfired, and the consequences could haunt Philadelphia for years to come. For now, the narrative is clear: the Eagles’ loss is San Francisco’s gain, and Howie Roseman is left holding the bag for what many are calling a historic mistake.