Bryce Huff Traded to 49ers as Eagles Cut Their Losses on $51M Gamble
Just over a year ago, the Philadelphia Eagles saw Bryce Huff as the ideal replacement for Haason Reddick—a rising star with elite speed, disruptive ability, and untapped potential. Coming off a 10-sack season with the Jets, the 25-year-old looked like a steal. The Eagles bet $51 million that Huff would ascend into stardom. Fast forward to mid-2025, and that gamble has quietly fizzled. Now, Huff is being traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a mid-round draft pick, signaling the end of a short-lived era in Philly.
Huff’s time in Philadelphia unraveled quickly. While the retirement of Brandon Graham and departure of Josh Sweat opened up opportunities, Huff failed to step up. After struggling with injuries and logging just 2.5 sacks in 2024, he missed key games—including the Super Bowl—and underwent wrist surgery. Despite the Eagles bringing in pass rushers Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari, there was still hope Huff would claim a larger role. But skipping offseason workouts this year confirmed his days in Philly were numbered.
The Eagles are now finalizing a post-June 1 trade with the 49ers, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Due to salary cap regulations, the deal won’t become official until after June 1, but both sides have agreed to terms. The move helps both teams: San Francisco adds a speedy edge rusher with upside, and Philadelphia unloads a high-priced contract they no longer believe in.
From a financial standpoint, the Eagles have maneuvered masterfully. Huff’s $17 million guaranteed salary for 2025 would have been a cap nightmare, especially since they’d already used their two post-June 1 designations on Darius Slay and James Bradberry. But by trading Huff after June 1, they’ll absorb just a $3 million cap hit annually over the next four seasons and save $4.4 million this year alone. Meanwhile, the 49ers take on the remaining $7.95 million of Huff’s 2025 salary, leaving the Eagles responsible for only $9.05 million.
For San Francisco, the move comes amid a major defensive line shakeup. They’ve released veterans like Leonard Floyd and Javon Hargrave, and used the 11th overall draft pick on Mykel Williams. But with Nick Bosa as the lone returning starter, the Niners needed an experienced edge rusher. If Huff can recapture his 2023 form—when he led the NFL in pressure rate—he could thrive opposite Bosa. His previous success under Robert Saleh’s system may also ease the transition, given the defensive familiarity.
Ultimately, this trade gives both sides a reset. For the Eagles, it’s a cost-cutting correction on a bet that didn’t pay off. For Huff, it’s a second chance to prove that his breakout season wasn’t a fluke. Whether he can do that in the 49ers’ system remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: both teams are ready to move forward.