San Francisco 49ers defensive lineman Bryce Huff announced his retirement on Wednesday via a video posted to his personal Instagram account, bringing an end to his productive NFL career.
Huff spent six seasons in the league, entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent before spending time with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, and San Francisco 49ers. Over the course of his career, Huff appeared in 81 games (21 starts) and totaled 108 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 62 quarterback hits, 24.0 sacks, and a Super Bowl victory with the Eagles.
The 49ers released the following statement after Huff informed the team of his decision:
"San Francisco 49ers DL Bryce Huff informed the team he plans to retire from the National Football League. We would like to thank Bryce for his contributions throughout the 2025 season and we wish him the best."
In the video announcing his decision, Huff reflected on his football journey and the path that led him to this next chapter:
"I'm retiring from football. I started playing football when I was four years old. Growing up, I wasn't the biggest or the strongest, and I didn't have any friends. All I really had was the game, football kept me grounded.
... I entered the NFL with a chip on my shoulder, and so I signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent. Thanks to Coach Gregg Williams and Blake Williams, I earned a roster spot my first year. I spent countless hours learning everything I could about the game. When Coach Saleh arrived my second year, he and his staff helped me become the best version of myself. My four years in New York will always mean a lot to me. That locker room built me. During that time, I earned a contract that made me the highest paid undrafted non-QB in NFL history. I spent a year in Philadelphia where we won a Super Bowl.
... I really evaluated what mattered in my life. That led me to San Francisco, where I was able to reset in a system I understood with a group of guys I respected. We battled through injuries, fought our way into the playoffs, and gave everything we had. Through all of it, I realized something. Football has been my entire life. I played ever since I was four years old. But at 27 years old, I know I'm capable of giving the world more than just football. The game taught me perseverance, it taught me discipline. It taught me how to lead and how to find a way for it, where things feel impossible.
Now it's time for the next chapter of my life. I'm building a company called Naberstone. Lithium batteries power the modern world, but they carry a fire risk that current suppression technology was never designed to solve. We're building safety infrastructure, specifically for that problem. Proprietary suppression systems, advanced detection technology, and containment built for lithium-ion battery events. This mission will save lives and protect critical infrastructure as battery technology continues to scale. I can't ask the people who believe in this mission to go all in if I'm not willing to do the same. Football gave me everything, and now it's time for me to give everything to something new. To the game of football, and everybody who believed in me and supported me along the way, thank you."