There's something about the Philadelphia Eagles. That sounds like a movie we saw once. What was it called? There's Something About Mary? Oh well... Philly's offseason has provided intrigue worthy of the big screen anyway. Meanwhile, we're currently navigating slow news cycles until the Birds show up to work again.
Sloe news days have been the exception to the rule this spring and summer. Howie Roseman has stocked the roster through free agency and the most recent NFL Draft. There are so many new guys worthy of discussing that it's easy to forget about some of them. Remember Bryce Huff?
Maybe we're greedy, but there are times when we wonder what an Eagles pass rush would have looked like with Bryce Huff and Haason Reddick. It would have probably been impossible. It would have damn well been expensive, but hey, that's all water under the bridge now.
They swapped teams. Huff traded his Jets jersey for an Eagles ensemble. Haason will join Gang Green... whenever he shows up at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park. That isn't our problem now. Reddick is gone and Huff will join Philly's pass-rushing rotation. Much is expected of the new Eagle after he inked a three-year deal that will pay him $51.1 million.
Guess what? We believe in him, and we're pulling for him.
Bryce Huff will notch 12 sacks with the Philadelphia Eagles this season.
Yep! Philly's offseason would have made for some phenomenal viewing had it been adapted into a motion picture. We have seen both drama of the locker-room variety and comedy. Just hang out on Instagram or X if you are looking for the latter. It won't be long before you'll see what we mean.
We managed to get lucky though. During a rare trip to X that wasn't littered with negativity and anonymous threats in the comment section, we found a jewel. It appears Mr. Huff is hard at work gearing up for the Eagles season.
Week worth of work!
Bryce Huff - Philadelphia Eagles. pic.twitter.com/HyEuPSEbpM— Coach Lance Deane (@LanceDeane) July 13, 2024
Huff's signing has been overshadowed, at times, by a few made by Philly that were more high profile. Saquon Barkley... C.J. Gardner-Johnson... So, that's okay if you forgot about Bryce. You aren't alone. He is used to being doubted though.
He is a former undrafted rookie free agent who is used to being overlooked, but you can best believe that won't be the case much longer. We're calling it now. We see a double-digit sack campaign in his future.
Here are two reasons why we believe that.
1. The Vic Fangio effect
Nick Sirianni finally adds the defensive coordinator to his staff that he has always wanted, landing Vic Fangio after the latter's departure from Miami. His fingerprints are all over some of the modern defenses we see in the National Football League, one of which being the scheme Jonathan Gannon runs with the Arizona Cardinals.
You all know the story well. While serving as Philly's defensive coordinator in 2022, J.G.'s defense sent Haason Reddick and Darius Slay to the Pro Bowl. James Bradberry earned Second-Team All-Pro honors. Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL's lead in interceptions (six) despite sitting out five regular-season games with an injury.
Now, Philly gets the architect of the scheme they were running. J.G.'s unit came within a hair of setting the all-time record for sacks. Huff and company will enjoy huge years under Vic Fangio.
2. Having phenomenal teammates along the offensive line will create more opportunities.
Just look at some of the names. Milton Williams, Jordan Davis, and Jalen Carter will man the ship along the defensive line's interior. Huff shares pass-rushing duties on the outside with Brandon Graham, Nolan Smith, and Josh Sweat.
Trust us on this. Huff will have plenty of opportunities to make plays. Opposing offensive lines aren't going to be able to double-team everyone.
Each member of this Eagles offensive front has the potential to be a game-wrecker, so in a rotation Huff will stay fresh. If Philly's offense can generate comfortable leads and salt games away with Saquon Barkley, this could be a nasty seson for a defense that can pin it ears back late in games!
Oh boy! This could be a ton of fun to watch! Are you starting to feel it? 12 sacks for Bryce Huff doesn't seem like to much of an ask.
In conclusion
Of Bryce Huff's 54 in-game appearances with the New York Jets, only seven were starts. He hasn't started a game since the 2021-22 regular season. He has only played 70% of the snaps one time, Week 8 of his rookie season in 2020 on November 1st.
Last year was his best. He played 480 defensive snaps and another 63 on special teams, roughly 42% and 13% of the Jets' overall totals respectively. That was also his best season.
He notched career highs in sacks (ten), tackles (29), tackles for loss (ten), and quarterback hits (21). More will be expected of him in 2024. While, he has never notched a dozen sacks, we expect he will this season. Here are two reasons why we believe that.
