SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers are shaking things up on their defensive line. They’re close to finalizing a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles for edge rusher Bryce Huff, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. This deal is expected to wrap up next week.
Huff was initially set to earn $16.75 million in guaranteed money for 2025. However, the Eagles will cover $9.05 million of that, leaving the 49ers to pay $7.95 million once the trade is complete. In exchange, San Francisco will send a mid-round draft pick to Philadelphia.
Once he arrives in San Francisco, Huff will reunite with defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, who coached him with the New York Jets for three seasons. Huff had a breakout performance in 2023, posting career-high numbers with 10 sacks and a 21.8% pressure rate, the best in the NFL according to Next Gen Stats.
Despite his impressive stats, things didn’t go as planned for Huff in Philadelphia last season. He recorded 13 tackles and only 2.5 sacks in 12 games, six of which were starts. The 49ers offer him a chance to revitalize his career.
San Francisco has been busy revamping its defensive line. With the release of key players like Javon Hargrave and Leonard Floyd, only Nick Bosa remains as a guaranteed starter. The team has focused on rebuilding through the draft, selecting end Mykel Williams with the 11th overall pick and tackles Alfred Collins and C.J. West in the second and fourth rounds, respectively.
Huff’s experience will be beneficial, especially as it allows the 49ers to be more flexible in their defensive schemes. Recently, he has gained attention on social media for his potential fit in San Francisco, with many fans expressing optimism about his reunion with Saleh.
In addition to these team changes, statistics show that teams investing in defensive talent tend to perform better in the league. According to a recent analysis, teams with strong defensive lines have a higher win percentage.
As the 49ers move forward, all eyes will be on Huff to see how he contributes to a reshaped defensive strategy. The upcoming season could be a fresh start for him in a new environment.
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