The Philadelphia Eagles are trying to trade-dump defensive end Bryce Huff.
Can the San Francisco 49ers benefit?
One proposed media trade would see San Francisco sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Huff. ... a steal if Huff could recapture what he once was ...
Which is a major part of the logic here.
The 49ers recently re-hired Robert Saleh - who was Huff’s head coach with the New York Jets - as their defensive coordinator. In Saleh’s system during his breakout 2023 season, he totaled 10 sacks and earned himself his three-year, $51.1 million deal with Philadelphia last offseason.
And that's where the good part of the story ended for him, as he was not a helper when the Eagles beat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl.
Saleh has long been a vocal supporter of Huff’s potential and effectiveness in his scheme. ... so why not try it again?
The 49ers have a clear need for additional edge depth behind Nick Bosa. Huff could slot into a rotation with Yetur Gross-Matos, who’s expected to handle early-down responsibilities. Huff, meanwhile, could be deployed in pure pass-rush packages, maximizing his explosiveness without the burden of run-defense duties.
The Eagles want to trade Huff for cap relief ... and San Francisco can counter here by giving up the low future pick and with GM John Lynch asking Philly to pay some of the contract.
Are they pass-rusher-needy in San Francisco? Not enough to pay $51 million. ... But maybe enough to work out a way for Saleh and the 49ers to "fix'' a once-standout player.
