The San Francisco 49ers have made a strategic trade to acquire defensive end Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles, reuniting the former New York Jets standout with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh. This move aims to strengthen the team’s pass-rush capabilities ahead of the 2025 Season. The deal, which involves sending a mid-round draft pick to Philadelphia, will finalize after June 1 and sees Huff joining a revamped 49ers defense aiming to recover from a 6-11 record in 2024.

Key Details of the Trade

• Huff, 27, signed a three-year, $51.1 million contract with the Eagles in 2024 but struggled to match his 2023 performance with the Jets, where he recorded a career-high 10 sacks under Saleh’s guidance.
• In 12 games with the Eagles during the 2024 season, he tallied just 2.5 sacks and 13 combined tackles, primarily in a rotational role.
• The 49ers will assume a restructured contract reducing their 2025 salary-cap hit to $7.95 million, with the Eagles absorbing $9.05 million in guarantees.

Saleh’s Vision for Huff

“Bryce understands our system inside out,” said Saleh, who previously coached Huff during his four seasons with the Jets. “He’s a proven disruptor who can play multiple spots along the line, which is critical as we adapt to today’s NFL offenses.”

Saleh plans to deploy Huff alongside star pass-rusher Nick Bosa and rookie first-round pick Mykel Williams, leveraging Huff’s Versatility and familiarity with Saleh’s aggressive schemes—known for creative blitzes and hybrid front alignments.

Impact on the 49ers’ Defense

• The 49ers ranked 27th in points allowed (25.6 per game) in 2024 and lost key veterans like Arik Armstead in Free Agency.
• Huff’s addition addresses depth concerns after the departures of Leonard Floyd and Drake Jackson.
• Huff will likely focus on rotational snaps and situational pass-rushing duties, with Bosa returning from a contract holdout and Williams expected to contribute immediately.

Future Prospects

Huff is set to join San Francisco’s organized team activities (OTAs) next week, where he’ll compete with Sam Okuayinonu and Yetur Gross-Matos for playing time. The 49ers’ defensive line, now featuring Bosa, Williams, and Huff, aims to regain its 2019 Super Bowl-caliber form under Saleh’s leadership.

“This trade isn’t just about filling a roster spot—it’s about culture,” said 49ers general manager John Lynch. “Bryce embodies the grit and intelligence we value, and reuniting him with Robert creates a synergistic dynamic that could pay dividends for years.”

As the NFL offseason progresses, the focus turns to how Huff adapts to his new role and whether Saleh’s defensive strategies can once again propel the 49ers toward championship contention.