The San Francisco 49ers made a big splash on Monday, officially acquiring pass-rushing specialist Bryce Huff from the Philadelphia Eagles for a conditional 2026 fifth-round pick that could become a fourth-round pick. This move comes after a disappointing 2024 season for him, losing the starting job, missing five games with a fractured wrist, being a healthy scratch in the Super Bowl, and recording a measly 2.5 sacks. As Brandon Graham pointed out, Huff struggled transitioning from the 4-3 Wide Nine end scheme with the New York Jets to the 3-4 outside linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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49ers fans should be cautiously optimistic for three reasons, and why acquiring him was a win.
Familiarity with the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator
New York Jets, Bryce Huff
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) tries to get around New York Jets linebacker Bryce Huff (47).
First, Bryce Huff played under Robert Saleh’s 4-3 Wide Nine scheme with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2023. He knows exactly what his role will be in San Francisco and won’t have to adjust to a brand-new system. Huff had a breakout 2023 campaign in his final season with Saleh, recording 29 tackles, ten TFLs, 68 pressures, 21 quarterback hits, ten sacks, and the highest pass-rush win rate in the league at 21.8%, according to Next Gen Stats.
Much-needed depth
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Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Bryce Huff (0) against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Second, Bryce Huff brings much-needed depth and experience to the team if a player were to miss time with an injury. The San Francisco 49ers’ top three EDGE rushers all missed time in 2024. Nick Bosa missed three games with a hip and oblique injury, Mykel Williams missed two with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain with the Georgia Bulldogs, and Yetur Gross-Matos missed six with a knee injury.
The San Francisco 49ers know his role
San Francisco 49ers, Robert Saleh
May 9, 2025; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, right, watches the action during the team’s rookie minicamp. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images
Finally, Robert Saleh already has a good idea of what role Bryce Huff will play, as he is primarily known as a situational pass rusher rather than a stout run defender. That means he will mostly play on late, obvious passing downs rather than early running downs, hoping he provides a spark for the defense. With Mykel Williams’s ability to defend the run and set the edge, Huff could see plenty of playing time on passing downs.
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