San Francisco 49ers Reunite Bryce Huff With Robert Saleh In Huge Trade

The San Francisco 49ers aren’t finished with their offseason revamping of the defensive line, and their latest addition could prove to be a game-changer. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the 49ers are negotiating a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for Edge Rusher Bryce Huff. The trade, which will reportedly be completed after June 1, reunites Huff with his old Jets head coach and current 49ers Defensive Coordinator Robert Saleh. It’s a gamble on the part of San Francisco — and a salary dump of sorts for the Eagles — with potential on both ends.

The Trade Details

Per Schefter’s report, the 49ers will send the Eagles a mid-round draft pick in exchange for Huff, who just last year signed a lucrative three-year, $51 million contract in free agency. To facilitate the trade, Huff has agreed to a contract restructuring. Huff was due $16.75 million in guaranteed money for 2025, but the Eagles will absorb $9.05 million of that charge, while the 49ers will take on the remaining $7.95 million.

The trade cannot be processed until after June 1 due to salary cap implications, but sources indicate that both teams have agreed in principle. This move comes after a disappointing season in Philadelphia for Huff, who recorded only 2.5 sacks in 12 games while dealing with injuries and inconsistent playing time. It’s a stark contrast to his breakout 2023 season with the Jets when he recorded 10 sacks and 68 pressures on only 312 pass-rush snaps.

What Huff Brings To San Francisco

Huff brings a nice mix of upside and proven production to a 49ers defense in the process of a complete overhaul. Despite not starting a game in 2023, Huff led the league in pressure rate (21.8%), showcasing elite efficiency as a situational pass rusher. The fact that he has previous experience in Saleh’s scheme, following three years together with the Jets in New York, will help ensure a seamless transition to a revamped 49ers front.

With Nick Bosa holding down the fort as the pass rush anchor, Huff should receive more than ample opportunity to shine on the other side. San Francisco invested heavily in young capital as well, selecting Mykel Williams in the first round and adding Alfred Collins and CJ West along the interior. Huff’s addition provides them with a veteran who has high-end pass-rush capability and can help bring along rookies, possibly freeing Williams to move inside on passing downs — a position he played in college.

What the Eagles Get in Return

For Philadelphia, this trade has more to do with cutting losses than it does with acquiring assets. Huff was one of the Eagles’ most prominent additions of the 2024 offseason, but his on-field impact didn’t come close to matching the investment. He played in only six starts and was inactive for the team’s Super Bowl win over Kansas City, finishing the year with a total of 13 tackles and little impact.

By dealing Huff, the Eagles wipe some of his salary off their books and get back a mid-round draft pick that can help with roster construction down the line. It’s far from a perfect outcome — Philadelphia is still paying over $9 million for a player who won’t suit up for them — but getting anything of value back under these circumstances is a minor win. The deal also opens up more snaps for younger, less costly edge rushers on the roster as the Eagles begin remodeling their defensive front.

Final Thoughts

This is a situation of two clubs with vastly different motivations. The 49ers see a chance to unlock latent production from a player they believe is an ideal scheme fit, and the Eagles are opting to cut bait on a failed investment. For Huff, it’s an opportunity for redemption in a system he once thrived in. If he can keep up his 2023 form, San Francisco may have just pulled off one of the best value trades of the offseason.