The Philadelphia Eagles have officially traded pass rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a conditional fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. This pick could potentially upgrade to a fourth-round selection, depending on Huff's performance in San Francisco, as reported by CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. The trade is currently pending a physical examination.
Initial reports of this potential trade surfaced on May 30, but the deal could not be finalized until after June 1. Both teams worked diligently to make this trade happen, with Huff reworking his contract to facilitate the deal. At 27 years old, Huff will reunite with his former coach, Robert Saleh, who is now the defensive coordinator for the 49ers. Saleh coached Huff during his tenure with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2023.
Bryce Huff joins a growing list of players moving from the Jets to the 49ers, including linebacker Chazz Surratt and punter Thomas Morstead, both of whom joined the team over the past week. Huff, who was undrafted, had a breakout season in 2023, recording a career-high of 10 sacks despite not starting a single game that year. He only spent one season with the Eagles after signing a three-year deal last offseason.
During his time in Philadelphia, Huff made six regular-season starts, which marked the second-highest total of his career. However, an injury sidelined him for five games, and he was inactive during the Eagles' Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
In San Francisco, Huff will join a restructured 49ers defense that is expected to feature up to four new starters. Despite these changes, the defense still includes notable players such as decorated pass rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner, who recently signed a three-year deal to become the highest-paid off-ball linebacker in NFL history.
Evaluating the trade, the Eagles receive a grade of B-. General Manager Howie Roseman is known for his strategic moves, but not every decision pans out. The signing of Huff to a three-year, $51.1 million contract last offseason turned out to be a gamble that did not pay off. In the 2023 season, Huff recorded only 2.5 sacks and 13 tackles while earning $17.25 million.
Instead of holding out for a better deal in 2025, the Eagles opted to cut their losses early. Philadelphia will absorb $9.05 million of Huff's salary, while the 49ers will cover the remaining $7.95 million he is guaranteed for the upcoming season, according to ESPN's reports. Although paying over $9 million for a player on another team is less than ideal, the Eagles deserve recognition for finding a partner willing to take on a significant portion of Huff's salary while also securing a mid-round draft pick in return. It's important to note that the Eagles still celebrated a Super Bowl win last year, so while the Huff signing was a miss, it did not hinder their championship success.
49ers: A-The 49ers receive an A- for this trade. This move aligns with the saying by Steelers coach Mike Tomlin: "One man's trash is another man's treasure." While Huff was seen as expendable in Philadelphia, the 49ers recognize the potential he brings to their defense in 2025. Saleh's familiarity with Huff is instrumental in this transaction, as Huff enjoyed his breakout season under Saleh’s guidance.
Even though Huff's salary and the mid-round pick are risks for the 49ers, the potential rewards could outweigh these concerns. Huff remains a relatively young player with significant upside. In his breakout 2023 season, he achieved the highest pass-rush rate (21.8%) in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. His past success led to a lucrative contract with the Eagles and now opens the door for another significant opportunity with the 49ers.
