The Philadelphia Eagles are finalizing a significant trade that will send pass rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a mid-round pick, as reported by ESPN. Although the trade cannot be officially processed until after June 1, sources indicate that the deal is nearly complete. Both teams are actively working to ensure the trade materializes, and Huff has already restructured his contract to facilitate the transition.
At 27 years old, Huff will reunite in San Francisco with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who was previously his coach with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2023. This connection could play a pivotal role in Huff's performance, as he joins linebacker Chazz Surratt and punter Thomas Morstead, both former Jets, who have joined the 49ers recently.
Huff, initially an undrafted rookie, experienced a breakout season in 2023, achieving a career-high of 10 sacks despite not starting a single game that year. His time with the Eagles was brief, having signed a three-year deal last offseason. While he started six games during the regular season, an injury sidelined him for five games, and he was inactive during the Eagles' Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
In his new role with the 49ers, Huff will join a revamped defense expected to feature up to four new starters. Even as the unit transforms, it will still include standout players like Nick Bosa, a decorated pass rusher, and Fred Warner, who recently signed a three-year contract that made him the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in NFL history.
As we evaluate the trade, the question arises: who won this exchange? Let's break down the trade grades for both teams:
General Manager Howie Roseman is recognized as one of the best in the business, but no GM has a flawless record. Roseman took a risk when he signed Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million deal last offseason, a gamble that ultimately did not pay off. Last year, Huff managed only 2.5 sacks and 13 tackles while earning $17.25 million. Instead of waiting for a potential rebound in performance, the Eagles chose to cut their losses now.
While Philadelphia will incur a salary cap hit of $9.05 million, the 49ers have agreed to cover the remaining $7.95 million that Huff was guaranteed for the upcoming season, according to ESPN. Although paying over $9 million for a player to represent another team is not ideal, the Eagles deserve commendation for securing a mid-round pick in return while finding a team willing to absorb Huff's substantial salary.
Importantly, it’s worth noting that the Eagles won the Super Bowl last year. While signing Huff may have been a misstep, it did not hinder Philadelphia from claiming its second Lombardi Trophy in eight years.
This trade exemplifies the saying from Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” While Huff was deemed expendable by the Eagles, he’s heading to a 49ers team that believes he can significantly impact their defense in 2025. Saleh’s familiarity with Huff could be a critical factor in this trade's success; after all, Huff thrived under Saleh's guidance.
While the risks associated with Huff's salary and the mid-round pick given up could potentially backfire for the 49ers, they appear willing to take that chance for the anticipated rewards. Despite the challenges he faced in Philadelphia, Huff remains a young player with considerable upside. Notably, during his breakout 2023 season, he achieved the highest pass-rush rate in the NFL at 21.8%, according to Next Gen Stats. His previous success paved the way for his lucrative contract with the Eagles and has now led to an exciting opportunity in San Francisco.
As the 49ers prepare for the future, they are banking on Huff to be more productive than he was during his time with the Eagles, making this trade a potentially strategic move for the organization.
