The reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles are finalizing a trade that will send edge rusher Bryce Huff to the San Francisco 49ers for “a mid-round pick,” according to sources that spoke to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The trade cannot and will not be processed until June 1st, 2025, but both teams are working to complete the deal, and “Huff already has reworked his contract to help facilitate the trade.”

ESPN sources: 49ers and Eagles are working to finalize a trade that will send edge rusher Bryce Huff to San Francisco for a mid-round pick. The trade cannot and would not be processed until after June 1. But both sides are working to make it happen, and Huff already has reworked… pic.twitter.com/FJeGc9Cfwx

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 30, 2025

Huff previously played under San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh in 2023 when he was the head coach of the New York Jets. That wound up being the best season of Huff’s career, where he set new personal bests in terms of sacks (10.0), tackles (29), and quarterback hits (21). He also had the NFL’s highest pressure rate that season (21.8%), according to Next Gen Stats.

Huff is the third former New York Jet to join the San Francisco 49ers in the last three days. On May 28th, the Niners released punter Mitch Wishnowsky and waived linebacker DaShaun White in order to sign Thomas Morstead and Chazz Surratt, who both played under Saleh when he was the head coach of the Jets.

A sensible move by the Eagles

The writing was on the wall with this one. After all, Bryce Huff was noticeably absent from Philly’s voluntary Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Wednesday. The defending champions do not need that kind of unnecessary distraction from a guy who didn’t contribute anything to the team’s Super Bowl LIX win over the Kansas City Chiefs.

I suspect that there was a financial motivation behind this decision as well. Huff was signed to a three-year, $51 million contract last off-season and is scheduled to make $16.75 million in guaranteed money this coming season, according to Bleeding Green Nation. By trading him away, that frees up about $7 million in cap space this year.

The #Eagles are working toward trading DE Bryce Huff to the #49ers, per multiple reports pic.twitter.com/T3flWVzcYv

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) May 30, 2025

After the off-season that the Birds had, there wouldn’t have been any room for him to be a starter. He was not winning the edge rusher job over guys like Nolan Smith Jr., Azeez Ojulari, or recent first-round pick Jihaad Campbell. Simultaneously, it’s malpractice to pay a backup linebacker over $16 million when you’re trying to win back-to-back Super Bowls.

It isn’t a sexy move, but it is a smart one. The only downside is that Philly sent a good pass rusher to the San Francisco 49ers, who shellacked the Eagles 42-17 the last time they played in 2023. But, I have learned to give general manager Howie Roseman the benefit of the doubt, so I am sure the Eagles will not come to regret this decision.

A good fit for the 49ers

I view this as a win-win trade for both Philly and San Fran. The Niners get a good pass-rusher who is familiar with their defensive coordinator, while the Eagles get to free up some cap space.

Considering Bryce Huff had the best year of his career under Robert Saleh, I am expecting a little bit of a resurgence from him in the Bay Area. He may not have ten sacks like he did in 2023, but I think he will have plenty more than the 2.5 he recorded last year. Robert Saleh might not be a good head coach, but he is an excellent defensive coordinator. I have faith in him to unlock Huff’s potential.

.@49ers @Bryce55H is a Bugatti off the edge.. a true pass rush specialist. Robert Saleh will know how best to utilize this specialist. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/wQSzdjzQld

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) May 30, 2025

This move also aligns with the 49ers’ off-season acquisitions. They needed to add another defensive end to play on the opposite side of Nick Bosa, so they selected edge rusher Mykel Williams with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While I love that pick and believe Williams will become a great player, he’s still just a rookie, and the Niners were basically asking him to be the team’s second-best pass-rusher. That’s a lot of pressure for a guy who hasn’t even turned 21 years old or played a snap of professional football. But bringing in Bryce Huff takes some of the pressure off of Williams while giving the Niners a good rotational defender who can come in and disrupt things on the other side of Nick Bosa.

I expect a bounce-back year for Bryce Huff. If he can record at least five sacks this season, then it will have been a worthwhile trade for the 49ers, depending on the draft pick that they are sending to the Eagles. If they can land Huff for at most a fifth-rounder, then this will be a steal for San Francisco.