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.
Also Read: “It’s Different”: Philadelphia Eagles Legend Explains Teammates Struggles
49ers fans should be cautiously optimistic for three reasons, and why acquiring him was a win.
Familiarity with the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator
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
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
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.
