Bryce Huff was candid about his struggles during the 2024 NFL season with the Philadelphia Eagles, revealing that his doubts about fitting into the team emerged almost immediately after joining. Coming off a breakout period with the New York Jets that established him among the league’s top pass rushers, Huff aimed to cement his role within the Eagles’ defensive unit but encountered challenges that hindered his impact.
Huff acknowledged on Tuesday that his desire for a trade arose early.
“If I’m being 100% honest with you, I wanted a trade like fairly early on,”
Huff stated via the SF Niners YouTube channel.
“And just cause of how things went in Philly, I knew pretty early on it wasn’t a fit.”
Recognizing that an in-season trade was unlikely, Huff communicated with his agent about positioning himself for a potential move after the season ended.
“I knew a trade wasn’t going to happen during the (2024) season. But I talked to my agent about it and was like, when it’s all set and done, I might need to step to put myself in the best position. I kind of knew where it was headed fairly early on into the season,”
he added.
Injuries and Role Uncertainty Diminish Huff’s Philadelphia Performance
As the season progressed, Huff’s initial reservations were compounded by a wrist injury that limited his availability and a lack of clear responsibilities within the Eagles’ scheme. These factors contributed to a noticeable decline in his overall output compared to prior seasons.
Huff ended the year with only two sacks across twelve games, a significant drop from the double-digit sack totals that had initially attracted Philadelphia’s investment during free agency. Analytical evaluations reflected this downturn: Pro Football Focus assigned him a defensive grade of 69.8, with tackling and pass-rushing scores of 64.0 and 69.9 respectively.
The mismatch between Huff’s skill set and the Eagles’ defensive approach hampered both parties. Despite committing substantial guarantees in a multi-year contract aiming to merge Huff’s explosiveness with the Eagles’ front seven, the team gradually reduced his snap counts throughout the campaign.
San Francisco’s Strategic Move to Acquire Huff
In contrast to Philadelphia’s struggles in utilizing Huff, the San Francisco 49ers pursued him not merely as a gamble, but as a strategic fit to complement their defensive front, particularly Nick Bosa. The 49ers valued Huff’s blend of speed and technique, seeing him as an ideal partner to boost their pass-rushing arsenal.
For Huff, the transfer represented an opportunity to return to a defensive system more aligned with his strengths, helped by his previous relationship with 49ers head coach Robert Saleh, who coached him during his time with the Jets. This familiarity fostered trust that had been absent during his time with Philadelphia.
Financially, orchestrating the trade required intricate salary cap adjustments. The Eagles agreed to retain a portion of Huff’s salary, while the 49ers restructured the final years of his contract to shorten its duration. The resulting arrangement essentially sets up a one-year trial, enabling both Huff and the 49ers to evaluate whether he can recapture the form he exhibited in 2023.
Implications of Huff’s Trade on His Career and Team Dynamics
Bryce Huff’s admission of early trade doubts and subsequent move highlights the challenges athletes face when adapting to new systems and environments. The shift to San Francisco offers a chance for him to revive his career alongside trusted leadership, while the Eagles will need to assess their defensive strategy moving forward without the player they once targeted heavily in free agency.
If Huff regains his previous performance level, the 49ers could strengthen their defense significantly, potentially influencing their competitiveness in the 2024 season. Meanwhile, this trade illustrates how fit and role clarity remain critical for maximizing a player‘s impact in complex NFL defensive schemes.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Bryce Huff’s dead cap?
A. Huff was initially set to impact the 2025 cap by $7.4 million, with his option bonus spread over five years. Now, the Eagles are responsible for a $4.94 million dead cap charge this year and $16.6 million in dead money for 2026. As expected, Bryce Huff will not stay with the Eagles for 2025.
Q. What happened to Bryce Huff?
A. The San Francisco 49ers shared that they have obtained defensive lineman Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles. In return, they are giving the Eagles a mid-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Q. Can Eagles release Bryce Huff?
A. The Eagles considered cutting Huff, but it would cost them $21.4 million in dead money. They’ve already used their two allowed post-June 1 designations for Darius Slay and James Bradberry, so they can’t save cap money by doing so.
Q. What happened with Bryce Huff?
A. The Philadelphia Eagles revealed on Monday that they are sending experienced edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers. In return, the Eagles will receive a mid-round draft pick. Huff did not meet high expectations during his one season with the Eagles, despite being signed as a leading free agent the previous year.