The Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers have reached an agreement to trade pass rusher Bryce Huff to the 49ers, according to CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. In return, the Eagles will receive a conditional fifth-round draft pick in 2026 that could be upgraded to a fourth-round pick depending on Huff’s performance. The trade is awaiting the physical approval. Rumors about this trade began circulating on May 30, but the deal officially could only be completed on June 1.
Huff, 27, is reuniting with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who coached him with the New York Jets from 2021 to 2023. He joins linebacker Chaz Schallert and punter Thomas Morstead, who also recently signed with the 49ers. Despite being undrafted, Huff had a breakout season in 2023 with a career-best 10 sacks, even though he didn’t start any games that year.
The Eagles signed Huff to a three-year deal in the previous offseason but he spent only one year with the team. He started six games, the second-most in his career, but was sidelined for five games due to injuries and was inactive during the Eagles’ Super Bowl win against the Kansas City Chiefs. On the 49ers, Huff will join a defensive unit that is expected to have up to four new starters, including star pass rusher Nick Bosa and linebacker Fred Warner.
Evaluating the trade:
Eagles: Grade B-
General manager Howie Roseman took a risky gamble last year signing Huff to a $51.1 million contract, which did not pay off. Huff managed just 2.5 sacks and 13 tackles last season while earning $17.25 million. To cut their losses, the Eagles are offloading Huff’s salary, with the 49ers agreeing to pay $7.95 million of his $9.05 million guaranteed salary in 2025. Though paying part of his salary while he plays elsewhere isn’t ideal, the Eagles benefit by acquiring a mid-round draft pick and still secured a Super Bowl win, meaning Huff’s signing, although flawed, didn’t hinder their success.
49ers: Grade A-
This trade exemplifies the saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” The 49ers clearly believe Huff can bolster their defense, especially under coordinator Saleh, who knows Huff’s potential from their time with the Jets. While taking on Huff’s salary and a mid-round pick is risky, his promising 2023 performance—leading the NFL with a 21.8% pass rush win rate—makes the gamble worthwhile. Despite setbacks in Philadelphia, Huff is still young with upside, and the 49ers bank on him becoming a key defensive contributor.
Fan Take:
This trade is significant for NFL fans as it highlights how a change of scenery and coaching familiarity can revitalize a player’s career. For the 49ers, adding Huff could be a game-changer on defense, while the Eagles demonstrate strategic cap management even after a Super Bowl win, showcasing the business side of building championship teams.
