49ers could score big with trade for Bryce Huff
The San Francisco 49ers have made a strategic move by acquiring pass rusher Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles.
Huff, who has struggled since signing a three-year, $51.1 million contract with the Eagles last year, brings some much needed cover for the Niners pass rush, with the hope of recapturing his form while with the New York Jets.
Philadelphia is covering $7.9 million of his guaranteed salary for 2025 to facilitate the deal. This trade allows the Eagles to move on from a player who didn’t quite fit their system while gaining a draft pick, and it gives the 49ers a talented pass rusher at a discounted rate, reuniting him with a coach who knows how to maximize his potential.
Why the move works for the Eagles and Huff
For the Eagles, trading Huff makes sense after a season where he didn’t live up to expectations. Signed to be a key piece in their defense, Huff struggled to adapt to Vic Fangio’s scheme, which required more versatility than his pass-rushing specialty. Limited by a wrist injury, he recorded only 2.5 sacks in 12 games in 2024.
By trading him and covering a portion of his salary—totaling $9.05 million, including the $7.9 million guaranteed for 2025—the Eagles avoid paying the full $17 million owed next year.
In return, they receive a mid-round draft pick, which they can use to invest in players who better fit their system, while also give more opportunities to developing pass rushers, such as Nolan Smith or Jalyx Hunt, who have already shown promise under Fangio.
A perfect fit for the 49ers’ defense
The 49ers, on the other hand, are poised to reap the benefits of this trade. Their defense, which struggled to generate consistent pressure in 2024 after losing key players like Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd, gains a proven pass rusher in Huff.
Crucially, Huff is reuniting with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, under whom he had his breakout season with the Jets in 2023, recording 10 sacks and 67 pressures in limited snaps. Saleh’s familiarity with Huff’s strengths means he can deploy him effectively in his 4-3 scheme, likely as a situational pass rusher alongside Nick Bosa. Moreover, with the Eagles covering a significant portion of Huff’s salary, the 49ers get a high-upside player at a bargain, allowing them to allocate resources elsewhere.
If Huff can recapture his 2023 form, the 49ers’ pass rush could become one of the most formidable in the league.
