In a stunning move, the Philadelphia Eagles have traded edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for a late-round draft pick, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday. The trade marks the end of a disappointing one-year stint for Huff in Philadelphia, where he failed to replicate the pass-rushing prowess he displayed with the New York Jets.
Huff, a former Memphis standout, had reworked his contract to facilitate the trade, which reunites him with his former head coach, Robert Saleh, now the defensive coordinator for the 49ers. During his four seasons with the Jets, Huff thrived in Saleh’s wide-nine defensive scheme, amassing 17.5 sacks, including a career-high 10 sacks in 2023. His performance earned him a three-year, $51 million deal with the Eagles last offseason, with hopes he would bolster their pass rush.
However, Huff’s time in Philadelphia was marred by struggles. In Vic Fangio’s defensive system, he faced challenges stopping the run and was later sidelined by injuries. Huff recorded just 2.5 sacks in the 2024 season and was notably a healthy scratch during the Eagles’ Super Bowl LIX victory. Since the win, Huff has been absent from the team, missing all offseason workouts, signaling his desire for a fresh start.
The trade to San Francisco offers Huff a chance to return to a system that suits his skill set as a dynamic edge rusher. For the Eagles, the move frees up over $15 million in cap space this offseason and removes Huff’s contract from their books after the 2025 season. The trade represents a clean break for both sides, allowing Philadelphia to move forward while giving Huff an opportunity to revive his career under familiar coaching.