Bryce Huff Heads West: 49ers Land Former Eagles Pass Rusher in Bold Defensive Revamp

When the San Francisco 49ers take the field this fall, fans might do a double take when they scan the defensive line. No Hargrave. No Floyd. No Collins. Instead, they’ll see a retooled cast of players — young rookies, fresh legs, and now, a familiar name trying to reclaim his form: Bryce Huff.

The Niners are reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire Huff, the former Eagles defensive end who once looked like one of the NFL’s most promising pass rushers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade is expected to be completed shortly after the league calendar flips to June, pending contract finalization and procedural steps.

And yes — this isn’t just about plugging a hole. It’s a calculated move that ties into San Francisco’s broader mission this offseason: reshaping its identity on defense, particularly up front.

A High-Risk, High-Reward Bet

Let’s be honest — the version of Bryce Huff that took the field for Philadelphia last season wasn’t the one fans were expecting.

After a breakout 2023 campaign with the New York Jets, where Huff racked up 10 sacks and a league-best 21.8% pressure rate, he hit the free agent market and landed a massive three-year, $51 million deal with the Eagles. It was a signing that turned heads — and carried expectations.

But in Philly? Things just didn’t click.

He finished 2024 with just 13 total tackles and 2.5 sacks across 12 games, starting only six of them. He never quite found his groove in a rotation-heavy Eagles defense that struggled to keep consistency, and fans started asking questions about the investment.

So when the 49ers came calling with a trade proposal — reportedly offering a middle-round draft pick — it wasn’t a hard sell for the Eagles. They clear cap space, recoup draft value, and the Niners get a chance to revive Huff’s prime in a new environment.

Follow the Familiar: The Robert Saleh Connection

There’s more to this deal than a stat sheet or cap space.

One of the biggest reasons Huff is headed to the Bay Area? Robert Saleh — the 49ers’ defensive coordinator — was his head coach in New York for three seasons. Under Saleh’s leadership, Huff blossomed. He was used as a situational edge rusher, where he could just pin his ears back and get after the quarterback — no overthinking, no misfits in the scheme.

This is key. Players often thrive in systems that let them play fast and lean into their strengths. Huff isn’t a three-down juggernaut who’ll win with brute force every play. But as a pass rush specialist? He can be lethal — especially when lined up opposite a player like Nick Bosa.

It’s not hard to imagine Huff on 3rd and long, lining up in a wide-nine stance while Bosa draws double teams. That’s a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Crunching the Numbers: The Money Side of the Trade

Financially, the move makes sense for both teams — especially the Niners, who have had to be strategic with their spending after shelling out big contracts to players like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.

Huff’s original 2025 salary was a fully guaranteed $16.75 million. But under the trade terms, the Eagles will absorb $9.05 million of that, while the 49ers are responsible for just $7.95 million. It’s a manageable number for a team that still needs to make moves and build depth across the roster.

That $7.95 million is, in essence, the price for a proven edge rusher who has shown he can disrupt the backfield at an elite level — if he finds the right fit.

Rebuilding the Wall: A New-Look Defensive Line

This isn’t just about Huff. The 49ers have undergone a major overhaul on the defensive front this offseason.

Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins — both cut. Leonard Floyd — also gone. That leaves Nick Bosa as the only returning starter, and he’ll now anchor a line that looks vastly different.

The team addressed the trenches heavily in the draft: selecting pass rusher Mykel Williams with the 11th overall pick, then nabbing defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.

Williams, in particular, is expected to play a versatile role. At Georgia, he lined up both inside and on the edge, with about 36% of his snaps coming from the interior. Huff’s arrival gives the coaching staff more flexibility — they can move Williams around and exploit mismatches, knowing they have a reliable edge option outside.

Source: Sources: 49ers finalizing deal for Eagles DE Bryce Huff

Huff’s Second Act: What Success Looks Like in San Francisco

So, what would a successful 2025 look like for Bryce Huff in the red and gold?

It’s not just about sacks — although, yes, those will matter. It’s about consistency. Pressures. Impact plays. Forcing opposing offenses to shift protections. Giving Nick Bosa a breather. Being a difference-maker in clutch moments.

But more than that, it’s about fit. Huff gets to join a team that’s not only competitive but known for maximizing defensive talent. He’s walking into a system designed by a coach who already knows what makes him tick.

If Huff can channel even 80% of his 2023 self, the 49ers may have pulled off one of the savviest low-risk, high-upside moves of the offseason.
When the San Francisco 49ers take the field this fall, fans might do a double take when they scan the defensive line. No Hargrave. No Floyd. No Collins. Instead, they’ll see a retooled cast of players — young rookies, fresh legs, and now, a familiar name trying to reclaim his form: Bryce Huff.

The Niners are reportedly finalizing a deal to acquire Huff, the former Eagles defensive end who once looked like one of the NFL’s most promising pass rushers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the trade is expected to be completed shortly after the league calendar flips to June, pending contract finalization and procedural steps.

And yes — this isn’t just about plugging a hole. It’s a calculated move that ties into San Francisco’s broader mission this offseason: reshaping its identity on defense, particularly up front.

A High-Risk, High-Reward Bet

Let’s be honest — the version of Bryce Huff that took the field for Philadelphia last season wasn’t the one fans were expecting.

After a breakout 2023 campaign with the New York Jets, where Huff racked up 10 sacks and a league-best 21.8% pressure rate, he hit the free agent market and landed a massive three-year, $51 million deal with the Eagles. It was a signing that turned heads — and carried expectations.

But in Philly? Things just didn’t click.

He finished 2024 with just 13 total tackles and 2.5 sacks across 12 games, starting only six of them. He never quite found his groove in a rotation-heavy Eagles defense that struggled to keep consistency, and fans started asking questions about the investment.

So when the 49ers came calling with a trade proposal — reportedly offering a middle-round draft pick — it wasn’t a hard sell for the Eagles. They clear cap space, recoup draft value, and the Niners get a chance to revive Huff’s prime in a new environment.

Follow the Familiar: The Robert Saleh Connection

There’s more to this deal than a stat sheet or cap space.

One of the biggest reasons Huff is headed to the Bay Area? Robert Saleh — the 49ers’ defensive coordinator — was his head coach in New York for three seasons. Under Saleh’s leadership, Huff blossomed. He was used as a situational edge rusher, where he could just pin his ears back and get after the quarterback — no overthinking, no misfits in the scheme.

This is key. Players often thrive in systems that let them play fast and lean into their strengths. Huff isn’t a three-down juggernaut who’ll win with brute force every play. But as a pass rush specialist? He can be lethal — especially when lined up opposite a player like Nick Bosa.

It’s not hard to imagine Huff on 3rd and long, lining up in a wide-nine stance while Bosa draws double teams. That’s a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.

Crunching the Numbers: The Money Side of the Trade

Financially, the move makes sense for both teams — especially the Niners, who have had to be strategic with their spending after shelling out big contracts to players like Fred Warner and Nick Bosa.

Huff’s original 2025 salary was a fully guaranteed $16.75 million. But under the trade terms, the Eagles will absorb $9.05 million of that, while the 49ers are responsible for just $7.95 million. It’s a manageable number for a team that still needs to make moves and build depth across the roster.

That $7.95 million is, in essence, the price for a proven edge rusher who has shown he can disrupt the backfield at an elite level — if he finds the right fit.

Rebuilding the Wall: A New-Look Defensive Line

This isn’t just about Huff. The 49ers have undergone a major overhaul on the defensive front this offseason.

Javon Hargrave and Maliek Collins — both cut. Leonard Floyd — also gone. That leaves Nick Bosa as the only returning starter, and he’ll now anchor a line that looks vastly different.

The team addressed the trenches heavily in the draft: selecting pass rusher Mykel Williams with the 11th overall pick, then nabbing defensive tackles Alfred Collins and CJ West in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.

Williams, in particular, is expected to play a versatile role. At Georgia, he lined up both inside and on the edge, with about 36% of his snaps coming from the interior. Huff’s arrival gives the coaching staff more flexibility — they can move Williams around and exploit mismatches, knowing they have a reliable edge option outside.

Source: Sources: 49ers finalizing deal for Eagles DE Bryce Huff

Huff’s Second Act: What Success Looks Like in San Francisco

So, what would a successful 2025 look like for Bryce Huff in the red and gold?

It’s not just about sacks — although, yes, those will matter. It’s about consistency. Pressures. Impact plays. Forcing opposing offenses to shift protections. Giving Nick Bosa a breather. Being a difference-maker in clutch moments.

But more than that, it’s about fit. Huff gets to join a team that’s not only competitive but known for maximizing defensive talent. He’s walking into a system designed by a coach who already knows what makes him tick.

If Huff can channel even 80% of his 2023 self, the 49ers may have pulled off one of the savviest low-risk, high-upside moves of the offseason.

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Final Thoughts: The Niners’ Calculated Gamble

No, Bryce Huff isn’t a superstar — yet. And yes, 2024 was a down year. But that’s exactly why this trade makes sense.

The 49ers aren’t paying full price. They’re betting on a bounce-back. They’re betting on scheme fit. They’re betting on trust — the kind that only comes when a player has been there, done that, and just needs the right room to do it again.

Time will tell if the Bryce Huff experiment works in San Francisco. But one thing is clear: in a league where quarterback pressure is everything, the 49ers just added a player who knows how to bring it.

And maybe, just maybe, this will be the place where Bryce Huff finds his spark again.Read More:Sources: 49ers finalizing deal for Eagles DE Bryce Huff